Author Archives: Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

THERE SHALL BE NO LOSS!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

 

“You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” (1Sam 30:8)

Yesterday during the Women’ Fellowship we praised, prayed and shared testimonies, to the Glory to God. We are fasting and praying during the month of January. We expect great things from God! We pray to grow spiritually, first of all. We also pray for blessings upon our marriages, husbands, children and the work of our hands. It is in line with the lessons taken from the Book of Ester.  This is a wonderful testimony given to the glory of God, to the shame of satan and for the encouragement of many! Sister R said that the Holy Spirit gave her a word for this year: “There shall be no loss!” She held to this promise by faith. She started the fast since the 1st of January. Two weeks ago something strange happened. She is a trader. She is selling dresses. She had a bag with some dresses, all new, with the tags attached. In the evening she stopped along the road to buy oranges to break her fast for the day. She took the bag with the dresses intending to put them in the boot (the trunk, US English) of the car. She paid for the oranges, entered her car and drove off. She did not know that she left the bag with the dresses on the ground, near the orange seller. In the evening, when she arrived home, she discovered that the bag was missing. She phoned some people if they’ve seen it. Nobody saw the bag. She looked at the CCTV camera at home, thinking that maybe the gate-keeper took it but there was nothing like that. She prayed and asked God: “Dear Father, You said that there shall be no loss. I now lost this bag with new expensive dresses. I don’t understand…” She left the matter in the hands of God! She refused to be discouraged and she continued the fast. Two weeks passed… Yesterday, as she was coming to church, somebody called on the phone. The unknown woman’s voice asked: “Have you lost anything?” Sister R was confused and did not know what to answer. Then the same woman said: “Did you no forget a bag with some dresses near a woman selling oranges?” Then Sis R said: “Yes!” Then she was told: “The bag is with me. Come tomorrow and take it!” This is a miracle of recovery (more so in Nigeria) because these are new expensive dresses.

 

What are the lessons? When the Holy Spirit gives you a prophetic word, the devil will do the opposite. This is to make you doubt God’s Word. God will allow the attack so that your faith in Him is tested. Have faith in God! If God has said something to you, no matter how long it takes, no matter what happens in between, things can be missing, some hope can be lost, but that Word cannot be lost! God’s Word will surely come to pass! We give God all the glory for this wonderful miracle and for a successful testing of faith!    Praise the Lord somebody!

LESSONS FROM THE BOOK OF ESTHER

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him” (Est 4:13-17)

Note: The following Biblical lessons apply only to those who are born again by the Holy Spirit! My sister, please give your life to Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Fast and pray that you may be a woman of God and fulfill destiny!

*God is sovereign! God has the power to do what He wants to do! Nothing stops God! His glory is Eternal!
*The story of Queen Esther is a story of tragedy that became triumph; problems that became praise; worry that became worship! God changes all things! This should be your testimony too! Be willing to be used by God!
*The word ‘God’ and the word ‘prayer’ do not appear in the Book of Esther. God is ‘silent’ and invisible. But God is sovereign and in charge of everything and everybody. God is not too early and not too late. He is right on time! God can never lose any battle! Trust God! God will come and manifest on your behalf! If you have faith in God you shall not be put to shame; you shall not regret or be disappointed.
*God has a plan for your life! Let the vision for your life increase. Queen Esther was an orphan poor girl and a refugee in Persia. But she was a child of God. She became the Queen Esther! God used her mightily to save His people. Do not allow your past to determine your future! Pray that you shall fulfill God’s destiny and that you shall be a blessing to your generation!
*Prepare to be a servant of God. Humble yourself! Learn to do spiritual warfare! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Stand and be filled with courage! God is with you! Have faith in God! There is nothing impossible for God! God gives comfort and courage in times of trouble!
*Esther got married to a difficult man, an unbeliever. She was probably not happy in her marriage. But she used her position to glorify God! Do the same even as you pray for your husband to become saved!
*Fasting and prayer opens the door of heaven. It releases God’s favor. Miracles happen! You shall experience healing and deliverance! Your mind will become clearer. You will know what to do. Your flesh, with its pride, doubts and fears, will become weak. Your spirit, your faith and love becomes stronger! The anointing for ministry will increase!
*God demands obedience and blesses it! God punishes pride and rebellion!
*Problems and hindrances do not stop God. These should not stop you! God can use anybody, even the sinners, the wicked people. God is sovereign not only in the church or among godly people. He is sovereign everywhere; in the President’s office or at the juju shrine. God is totally in control of your life even when things make no sense, when the doctor gives you no hope, when your spouse wants to divorce you, when people cheat and betray you. *Things and people change but God never changes!
*Wicked people may prosper for a time but they will be punished by God. If you dig a pit for another, you shall fall in it yourself. Never envy the wicked! Pride comes before fall! Fight evil by inviting your enemy to the party!
*If you refuse to answer God’s call for His work, He will use another. You do not lose your salvation, but you will lose opportunities for ministry, rewards and inexpressible joys! God’s work is risky! Prepare to make sacrifices! People will be offended at you! But God will reward and compensate you beyond your dreams!
*Reach out to others for help. Do not stay lonely! Make friends even talking the risk of a broken heart! God will heal you! Tell others that you need counsel, prayer or help!
*God knows the end from the beginning! Exit Vashti! Enter Esther! Exit Haman! Enter Mordecai! There is a time for God’s vengeance to manifest!
*God’s people suffer many things in this life but they are victorious at last! ”All things work together for good for them who love God and are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).
*Never lose hope in God!

ethiopian bride

(In the picture, a beautiful Ethiopian bride, which to me, resembles Queen Esther)

BLESSED BABY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

Testimony! This beautiful baby is our youngest grandson! His name is Emory David Oakes! He is 2 months old! Is he not cute? To God be all the glory for making us grandparents!!!!

emory 2 months

MY TEARS FOR YOUR FEET

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Jesus said: “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give Me any water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet. You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven as her great love has shown…” (Lk 7:44-47)
 
The woman came uninvited. She had no key to enter; no password to open any door; just tears and a stained face from melting mascara. No greeting given to the host and his friends; possibly because they were ‘past costumers’ who saw her nakedness but never her tears. For it is the law of prostitutes: ‘Never love and never weep’! She came uninvited by men but led by the Spirit. She fell at Jesus’ feet. She wept and wept. Hot tears became as water as she kissed the sandals He would walk in to the Calvary Hill the next day. The ointment was all she had that she did not sell. The bottle was beautiful. The seal intact, kept for a wedding that could never come. ‘This is my Bridegroom. I have discovered Him. He will be mine for a few hours and then gone to the tree, that I may be forgiven and free. I found true love at last… even if so late…’ (Inspired from Song of Songs 3: 1-4)
 
The host invited my Jesus in his big house but did not fully welcome Him. No bath to wash. No soap. No sheets on the bed. No breakfast in the morning. No kiss. No looking into His eyes. No open heart. No memories shared.
 
‘Do you see this woman?’ Yes! This woman is me! Like a bird with broken wings I sit at His feet and all I can do is to weep. I feel the empty bucket with my tears. I break the alabaster box to be His soap. I weep and I kiss… All my words are drowning in the pool… some are floating in the air, the fragrance of holy perfume. For some it is the smell of death; for others, the smell of life. Perfumed sermon and faith that makes whole. What more do I want? It is finished!
 
At the feet of my Master, I lose all sense of time and all my fears. I am loved much and forgiven much. None can take my peace. Jesus gave it to me and it is mine. My reputation? I forgot the meaning of it or the desire to please men. Down at His feet is where you will find me. I will lose myself; yet find myself again… worshiping at His feet. Come and meet me there… It is well with my soul!
 
In Christ I declare:
All my tears are now jewels in His Crown!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
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FEAR NOT WHEN THE HEAT COMES 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

I received this letter from a daughter in Christ. She is a young wife and mother. She is a faithful in her ministry in the church. She is a woman of God. I am blessed seeing that my spiritual children are maturing spiritually and live fruitful lives. I use her letter as a point of contact to encourage anyone who is under attack and especially who wants to start a new business. May God help you! Trust God to the end! If you want to bless this sister, feel free to comment. She will read it. God bless you my readers! In Jesus’ name!

“Dear Malia, Thank you for finding time to read my letter. Ma, I appreciate that. For some time I have been under attack. I am trying to start a new business and the devil is trying to stop me. I have never done this type of business before. It is totally new for me but I have prayed to God and I have peace about it. God gave me the idea. I trust God for everything, for the location of my shop, for the wisdom, strength and the capital. I know that the devil cannot stop me but he has been deceiving me that he is able to block my way. I fasted and prayed for discernment and I now recognize that it was an evil spirit tormenting me, telling me that I made a mistake, tormenting me about the business plans and making me having regret about resigning my present job… the devil brought fear about the type of business I want to start which is different than my present job… I had serious anxiety about a new beginning in my career, in ‘my business-life’. For some time I fell for its deception and distraction but God will have His way in me and there will be victory in the end!

This past Sunday, my pastor spoke on ‘tormenting spirits’. And tonight, I remembered the sermon and realized the negotiation about the money was tormenting me. To make its worse, my baby got sick. I was burdened because of my child and in that moment of weakness these tormenting spirits attacked me.
Last night I could not sleep. I was inspired by your letter about ‘night ministry’. I prayed to God. I silently cried on my bed. God restored peace, faith and courage to my soul. The devil is wicked and perverts thoughts and puts fear to replace confidence from God. I am humbled today to have discovered this and all the more want to hide inside the deepest part of the Holy Spirit. I already prayed that even when I make mistakes, that God will turn it around for good. My scripture that I’ve been trying to memorize this week is Jeremiah 17:7 (I think) it says blessed is the one whose trust and confidence is in the Lord. I am blessed. God bless you Ma! Your daughter in Christ…”

“Blessed is the man (the woman) who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he (she) shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jer 17:7, 8)

FOR FIRE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“All glory! All honor! All power, to You!
Holy Father, we worship You!
Precious Jesus, our Savior!
Holy Spirit, we wait on You
For fire…”

(From this Sunday’s service)

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I WILL NOT FORGET YOU!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“My child, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me” (Is 49:15, 16)
 
This evening, during the first prayer meeting in 2019, we entered God’s courts with thanksgiving. So many people lie down on their sick beds. Many have died last year. But we are alive. It is not by mistake. We give thanks for the gift of life! “Praise the Lord Oh, my soul, and all that is within me praise His Holy Name!” I was born to worship God! I do not boast of beauty, riches of education. I shamelessly boast that I know the only Living God. He is my God. I know His Word, His Spirit, His goodness, His touch! Worship the Lord! He is the Helper of the helpless! You are alive to praise God. You are alive because God has not finished with you. His grace-work goes on, until perfection comes, until testimony is visible. God has not finished with you! Therefore, do not ‘finish’ with yourself. Do not give yourself ‘deadlines’. You belong to Jesus! He died to pay your debt, your ‘bride price’ for your wedding in heaven. God knows you. Not just you lost in the crowd, but you alone. God knows you in particular. He knows your name, your address, your prayers and your tears. God’s plans for you are good, not evil, to give you a future and a hope.
 
God wrote your name on the palms of His hands. God said that even if a mother forgets the baby at her breast, He will never forget you. As He sits on His throne in heaven, God remembers you, for good. In between the angels’ songs, in between holy thunders of heaven, God remembers you. If your friend, neighbor or family member forgets you, God remembers you. And that is all that matters. Worship the Lord who alone changes hearts and circumstances. Worship the Lord who has granted you a new beginning. Forget not His benefits! The past does not define you! Let the past rest behind. Worship the Lord who never sleeps nor slumbers! Singing: How great is your God? From East to West, no other god, from North to South, I say, there is no other god! Almighty God, hallowed be Your name, Your dominion is forever more! Hallelujah!
sll and toju

WORSHIP OR DOUBT?

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped him; but some doubted” (Matt 28:16, 17)
 
Doubt is a type of faith. It is very difficult to describe, detect, or imagine. It is much easier to identify the sin of lust or lying, for example, than to isolate doubt from our mind. Doubt is wavering faith, unstable faith, damaged and unacceptable faith. Doubt is an evil religious spirit. It spreads like a plague. It is much more difficult to produce faith in your listeners. You have to preach the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ Crucified. This ministry has to be done patiently against all odds. Faith comes by the hearing of the preached Word of God. Doubt is like an infection. It is much easier to damage the faith than to produce or increase it. Doubters hate believers and attack their faith. Be careful who you call ‘friend!’
 
Doubt is wavering faith. To waver means to go to and fro between two opinions, two choices, two loves or two directions. Doubters have an ‘on and off’ type of faith. For example, they believe on Monday, but doubt on Tuesday, then back to believing on Wednesday, and so on. The sin of doubt affects especially three areas of God’s blessings:
• God’s power (especially the supernatural power to experience miracles)
• God’s provision (especially to trust God for abundance)
• God’s promises (especially to trust God for ‘impossible’ things)
 
Doubters are like the waves of the sea. They move on and off, day and night, without rest. All their movement is in vain for they do not expand the boundaries of the sea. Doubt makes you worried and overactive emotionally but there is no clear progress spiritually or in the natural. Doubters are ‘unstable’ in all their ways. The word ‘unstable’ means to be reckless (they seem bold and take unnecessary risks, but later back off as cowards). It also means to be confused, restless, and unsettled.
 
Marriages can be affected by doubt. The husband and wife may agree to do something but the next day one of them will change his mind. The unity of the Spirit cannot be established in a marriage where doubt has access. The worst thing that can be said about a doubter is that God refuses to answer his prayers. It does not matter that his needs are great or urgent. Doubt disqualifies him to have communion with God and his prayers do not pass the ceiling. We must repent of the sin of doubt and confess: ‘I believe in God!’
 
In Christ I declare:
I believe 100 percent and doubt for me is 0 percent! I trust God’s power! My miracle is coming soon! I trust God’s provision! I am blessed with more than enough! I trust God’s promises! They are all yes and amen!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

MY TREASURE 

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Mt 13:44)

This is a word for the born again children of God. I encourage you to pay the price to gain the assurance of your salvation and spiritual maturity! Christ is the ‘treasure hidden in a field’. The man who found the treasure is me and is you.

Many seek for hidden treasures all over the world. I read that seeking for treasures is a very expensive form of adventure. They say that pirates hid their stolen treasures in some islands. They wanted to come back later to get them. But they died before they could come back. People look for things like these. But it is not easy to be a treasure hunter. It takes time, physical and mental effort, and a lot of money. It is a dangerous work. Looking for treasures in strange places you are exposed to attacks from wicked men, thieves or wild animals. It is also a lonely work. In the open field it is just you and the dreams that you chase. You need to encourage yourself to go on. There are no human encouragers around. It is not easy… I have been there… I know…

In Greek, the word ‘field’ means a village farm. Try to imagine this story as you seek God. Finally, after years of seeking and digging, you find the greatest treasure of all, Jesus Christ! But you cannot shout for joy! You quietly rejoice by yourself. This is not the time to run and tell your family and friends: ‘I am a rich man! I have made it!’ This is not the time to post it on Facebook “I have found the fulfillment of my dreams!” It is true, you have found it but it is not yet your own! By freely taking from that treasure you will be called a thief. This is because the land that hosted the treasure for thousands of years is not your own. You need to buy the land before you have the treasure. It is like a man who wants to marry and he finally finds the girl of his dreams. He cannot announce that he is married to that girl. People will insult him! He has to pay a ‘bride price’ in the presence of witnesses before he can call that woman ‘my wife’. If not, he is an adulterer and a thief. The man who finds the treasure has to bury it again. This is the wisdom of the Kingdom of God: You find Christ and then you say to Him: ‘Good bye for now…I will come back and see You again…You shall be mine forever…’

The man goes back to the city and announces that he wants to become a farmer. His rich sophisticated friends laugh at his foolishness. ‘A farmer… What a joke…’ But that is all that he can say, for now. He announces that he is selling all his property in the city so that he can buy a farm in the village. He does not sell his things grudgingly. He sells them rejoicing. There is something strange about this man… he is so happy with his decision to change his address….this transition is mysterious to many who do not understand his new love for village things…. he is selling his expensive ‘condo in the Trump tower’ to go and buy a farm in the village… he sells his Mercedes Benz telling people he needs money to buy a farm… nobody knows the secret or the source of his joy…deep secret joy… not shared joy, at least not now…

Do you understand this parable? To ‘find Christ’ is not enough. You need to possess Christ, to be filled with His Word and His Spirit! Then you can truly say that Christ is yours! Not every Christian can say this: ‘My Beloved is mine and I am His”. You need to lose your life for His sake before you can have Christ! There is a price to pay to enter the mystery of this treasure called Christ. In Him there is all the wisdom and the knowledge of eternal life!

I have seen people who claim to be born again but they turn back from total commitment to the Lord, holding tight their little treasures money bought for them. Like with the rich your ruler who could not sell his things to truly find eternal life, a man may see Christ face to face, worship Him for a time but still go back to the world of sin, sad ‘for he has great possessions’.

This is my testimony! This is the truth that I have found: Christ is the greatest Blessing of all! He is the Gift from heaven! He is worthy more than silver or gold, more than the friendship of the best of friends, more than fame and more than culture. I testify that me, a sinner saved by His grace, I have found Him buried in the field called Nigeria! I thank God for the wisdom of not cheaply and foolishly brag about my achievement in finding Him ‘whom my soul loves’. For a long time I had to let go of His benefits and go back to my world of wealthy educated sinners. I simply told them that I am selling my things.

One by one, my cherished treasures of a life time of struggle were sold. This was a painful transition. But there was joy in that pain. I walked on the royal way of the Cross knowing that one day I can openly boast that Jesus is mine! Persecution is part of the price you pay to possess Christ. But it is all worth it! Oh…it is all worth it! After losing all things, I took my money and went to buy that field. The owner, an agent of the devil, had no idea why I am willing to pay all that for a ‘dirty old God forsaken’ field. That is what the devil called my dream. He said that he tried planting cassava and yam there, but the field is barren. I did not argue with him. I just wanted the deed of the land. I did not buy it to plant flowers there. I did not need a garden in Warri. I wanted what is hidden beneath the surface. The devil did not know what I was looking for. Thank God he did now know! He finally sold it to me. Jesus shed His Blood to be my Savior. I shed my tears and sweat to be His Servant! The deed is sealed! This is an eternal transaction no man or devil can steal. I declare that God loves Warri- Effurun, in Nigeria! Glory to the Lamb who seats on the throne! Now and forever! Amen! I am a child of God!

sll 26

JESUS MEGA VICTORY

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord” (PV 21:31)
 
Our Church’ (Father’s House Bible Church, Warri- Effurun, Nigeria) annual evangelistic program called “Jesus Mega Party” was a huge success. I am only boasting in the Lord! Many souls were saved. There was joy all around as we praised God, sang and danced like King David. Our brethren generously donated food items and clothes for the poor who came to the event. With that entire crowd of thousands of people, there was no crime reported. Everything was done orderly and beautifully, in the presence of the Lord and for His glory! To the strangers, the program sounded like a wonderful praise and worship concert. In reality, it was more spiritual warfare than just music playing. There was an invisible battle on that field. The territorial demons, especially the religious ones, opposed us. They wanted that Jesus Mega Party should be an entertainment night, when fleshly emotions are stirred but the spirit of men remains dormant. To the glory of God, the evil plan failed. The reason is because we were aware of their strategy. With prayers and fasting, we prepared for the battle. We raised our voices, faces, hearts and hands towards Jehovah Nissi, Our Banner of Victory. God answered from heaven and victory was complete! Halleluiah!
 
What are the lessons? The background of life is active spiritual warfare. If you believe in warfare or not, if you believe in the existence of the devil or not, this is the truth: there is war in the heavenly realms. For better or for worse, this invisible spiritual battle affects our lives. The horses represent the power of men aided by the devils. They stand for the most sophisticated technology and strategy of the wisest men on earth. But all the ‘horses’ in the world cannot defeat the smallest child of God whose faith is rooted in Christ crucified and resurrected. God is not intimidated by galaxies of demonic horses, by powerful bombs or by the latest deadly weapons invented by men. Salvation, freedom and victory are gifts of grace, coming from the Lord! Even for the youngest believer in Christ, the victory is sure, deliverance is established and freedom is confirmed. Glorious joy is the stamp of champions! Peace that passes all understanding is the strengths of Bible heroes! You can experience these!
 
Examine yourself: Who are you? Where are you? You are either on the side of the devil and his horses or on the side of Jehovah! You are either on the side of human strength or on the side of Christ Crucified! In Christ you can never lose! Recently, I have seen tired, confused and disappointed ‘horses’, fainting because of thirst in the middle of the battle. They prayed that ‘god’ will increase their strength to do more evil. But no one paid attention to their wicked prayers. There was no river around and no rain forecasted for them to find water to drink. I have also seen the banner of Jehovah lifted high above His children. “His banner over us is Love!” (SS 2:4). God has poured His strength into the weak, healing unto the sick and joy into the broken hearted. Tears of salty sorrow became tears of sweet joy! I have seen all these wonderful things today. One with God is majority! What a wonderful day to be alive and to worship God! Jesus, You are beautiful! There is victory in Jesus! Jesus is Lord!
 
(fasting and prayers day 8)
rsl 12
(In the picture, my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh doing an altar call before mid night at Jesus Mega Party)

TALK TO JESUS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15, 16)
 
The disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus. They were depressed. Four days ago, Jesus, their Master, was crucified. Their hopes were crushed. Then suddenly a stranger came from the side of the road and drew near them. He started walking with them. They told him about the pain of losing their best friend. They did not know that the ‘stranger’ was in fact Jesus. They did not call on Jesus, thinking He is dead. Nevertheless, He came close to them… This is what Jesus does… He comes close to the hurting souls…
 
This is a great lesson: Jesus is able to come close to you any time He likes. Even when you do not pray, He still comes close to you. He will encourage you to talk about your pain, giving you answers to humanly impossible questions. Never forget! Jesus gives hope to the hopeless; joy to the depressed; strength to the weak. Jesus heals the sick and delivers the oppressed. At last, when the miracle has happened and the problem is solved, you shall look back and see that all along, it was Jesus! The same yesterday, today and forever!
 
“O, How I love Jesus, for He first loved me!”
emmaus israel
 
(Picture: This is the road to the village called Emmaus. I took the picture during a trip to Israel)

TESTIMONY OF BLESSED MARRIAGE

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
Our dear children in Christ, Dr. Toju and Pastor (Dr) Trish Eresanara have renewed their marriage vows and have celebrated 25 years of marriage, giving all the glory to God! We sang a chorus called “Everything na double-double…” Like any couple, over the years they had their ups and downs but we are witnesses that the Lord Jesus has turned their water into wine! We expect more of this type of testimonies! To God be all the glory!
toju and trish 25

PEACE GRANTS PETITION

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1Sam 1:17, 18)
 
This revelation of God to Hannah applies to any barren situation in life. There are many people who cry silently on their beds at night because of pain of rejection, broken hearts, disappointments and lost dreams. Life is passing them by and there are no fruits to beautify and enjoy. The devil suggests to them that just weeping is a solution; that God will feel ‘sorry’ for them. Many tears wash a barren face and they remain barren still. But what a mighty change it will be to move in faith to have an encounter with God, to meet the captain of your Salvation and let Him dry your face clean. He is able and He is willing.
 
Hannah discovered Jesus to be faithful and true. The High Priest Eli commanded her: “Go in peace!” As she obeyed, her face was no longer sad. From that moment, she walked on following the beat of an internal drum called ‘Shalom’. No one could hear the holy rhythm, except herself. Lesson: My dear sister, you who pray for the fruit of the womb, once you are able to stop complaining and crying, and you look up unto Jesus, you start walking with a smiling face and a song in your heart, the miracle of pregnancy will happen. The God that shut Hannah’s womb became the God that opened it to overflow. Leave the bed of sorrow, get up and go to the altar of God! By faith, give God a chance to prove Himself to you as the One who opens doors long barricaded. What do you lose if you believe? Nothing! You only lose your sorrow and shame! If you are tempted to say ‘I believed yesterday and nothing happened’, believe again! Command doubt out of your thoughts and believe again! We are called to a ‘living hope’ and ‘inexpressible, glorious joy.’ Never, ever forget that for the true believers, the end of all suffering is glorious joy!
 
In Christ I declare:
I was a sinner; I am now a saint, saved by the Blood of Jesus!
I shall not weep again, for Jesus is my Shepherd! He has led me to His living waters and He has dried all my tears! My past bareness shall become a testimony of fruitfulness and praise! I am healed! All to God’s glory! Glory! Joy! And Glory again!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
Pregnant woman

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked… But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end… But for me it is good to be near God…” (Psalm 73)
 
We are climbing the holy mountain of God’s calling. Some pilgrims are already at home resting and enjoying the bounty of the Lord’s house. But there are still many down the slopes, slowly moving up the hill. They struggle with obedience to simple commands. They have difficulty in believing the truth. What is truth? –asked Pilate? The truth is this: GOD IS GOOD! The rich young ruler called Jesus ‘Good Teacher…’ He was rebuked for speaking words without understanding. Jesus said to him: ‘No one is good-except God alone!’ (Lk 18:18-19). Such a simple revelation… But it is still so hard to believe it…
 
Each step up the mountain requires total trust that God is indeed a good Person. We have to believe that He who called us to a higher place is faithful. But when things get hard, the doubt resident in the flesh starts grumbling. In the wilderness the people of God complained again and again doubting the goodness of God. Even Jeremiah thought that God had deceived him into ministry. Why do we struggle so much in believing that God is indeed good? The first reason is that we are not yet mature spiritually. The Bible raises our expectations concerning our blessings from God. As sinners we had no hope of any inheritance from heaven. But now, we are told that we are kings and priests. We start to imagine golden palaces, exotic temples and flowing gowns… This is the result of fleshly, wild, un- sanctified imagination. For a long time we do not know how to control that. So we dream and claim the gold from the streets of heaven and the pearls at the gates. Then we look around and see a cheap apartment we call our home on earth, we feel disappointed and then blame God for giving us ‘false hopes’.
 
Another reason why we struggle to believe that God is good is because we foolishly compare ourselves with others. We see them having a ‘better life’ than ours. It is even more painful when the wicked prosper. The word ‘prosperity’ in Hebrew is ‘Shalom.’ This is one of the personal names of God. We feel jealous and bitter. We end up feeling betrayed by God. Without a good explanation why the ungodly prosper, we start blaming God for partiality and wickedness.
 
The great Oswald Chambers said that ‘we are always suspicious on God.’ We are addicted to doubt about God’s character and motives. This sin is like leprosy; it affects our life, our worship and our commitment. When things get a little bit difficult we quickly jump at the conclusion that God does not care. We forget that behind all this wicked stronghold of doubt is the same devil, the same one that deceived Eve long ago.
 
What is the solution? We have to go back to the Bible! We cannot find the truth outside the Word of God. Pastors preach and elders counsel. But nothing can replace the daily quiet time to study God’s Word, combined with fasting and prayer. Secondly, come to church. Listen to the preaching of the Word. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in the sanctuary. Many have found peace within its walls. Pray about your questions. Confront your doubts! The Christian life is lived by faith alone. There are times in which you have to close your eyes and your ears. Be blind and deaf to all that is not of God. Be honest with God and with yourself! Draw closer to God and He will draw closer to you! Pay the price for intimacy with God. You shall find Jesus to be the best friend you can ever have, kind and faithful, wonderful beyond description and worthy of all your trust!
 
In Christ I declare:
God is good! All the time! God is good to me and to my family! I believe 100 percent! I chose not to doubt God’s goodness!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLS ME, I COME!

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought in before him, but she did not come” (Est 1:17)
 
Please read the Book of Esther, chapter one. King Xerxes is married to Queen Vashti whose name means ‘Beautiful’. The king throws a great banquet to entertain and impress his military leaders, princes and nobles. He later invites all the citizens of Susa to come and enjoy the king’s feast. There is no limit to drinking wine and eating the royal special food. The reason for this party was to give glory to himself. Like Nebuchadnezzar, King Xerxes was a proud foolish man! He loves to drink alcohol. He was also a hot tempered man. Suddenly, becoming tired of the entertainment provided, the drunken king orders his Queen to come to him, dressed in her royal robes. He wanted to boast, before all his guests, of his wife’s beauty. Hating to be embarrassed in front of many drunken men, the Queen refuses to obey his orders. What? Imagine that! The great king is publicly rejected by a woman!!! Suddenly the happy party turns into a mourning gathering. The king is angry mostly because he is embarrassed by his wife’s public rejection. Both husband and wife are angry and embarrassed at each other’s actions. Who will win in this foolish emotional manipulation game? Of course the devil who takes pleasure in division, quarrels and divorce!
 
King Xerxes asks his wise men what to do. They advise him to divorce and disgrace Vashti. In verse 19 she is no longer called Queen Vashti. She is simply called by her name, like any ordinary woman. The poor queen has no credit of grace with anyone. Vashti is sent away from the palace! She loses her marriage, her reputation and her throne! The wise men advise the king to write a new law saying that each man should be ‘the ruler of his household’! It will be on record that all the wives should submit to their husbands. This is a foolish decree for no law can force the wives to submit or the men to love them. Submission and love are spiritual things of the heart!
 
What are the lessons for us? The first thing I see is that without Christ, fame and riches are useless. Without Christ, there is no peace, no wisdom and no joy! Without Christ, even the best marriages scatter. Without Christ the partying, the happiness of the world will suddenly turn to disgrace and depression. The law cannot change the hearts of men. Only the grace of God found in Christ alone can change hearts and circumstances. Anger, lust, foolishness, pride, rebellion, drinking alcohol, having worldly friends… these are all drops of poison able to kill any relationship.
 
As a married woman, I am sorry for Queen Vashti. In this story she had to go away. She vacated her throne for Queen Esther who is an ambassador for Christ. In this world, nothing is permanent. Only God never changes! ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever’ (Heb 13:8). If you marry an unbeliever, you will suffer. Money and fame cannot help a broken heart. Only God can do it! Another lesson is this: once you are married to ‘a famous’ man, or you hold a position of authority, if you like it or not, you become a role model. Others will imitate you, for better or for worst! Visibility requires responsibility! Remember that!
 
MY TESTIMONY
My husband and I are married for almost 44 years. Both of us work full time to make our marriage happy and strong. It is a sacrifice made because of love. We are not ignorant of the attacks of the devil which is able, if given the chance, to destroy any marriage. This is the wisdom I have learned from the Book of Esther chapter one: Each time my husband calls me I will answer and immediately come to him! I promised myself that I will not be like Queen Vashti! This is my pledge to God and to my conscience: If my husband needs me, if he calls me, I will answer! It can be morning, afternoon, evening or night time. I may know or I may not know the reason for his call. I have made a covenant with my feet not to be tired to walk up and down the stairs when my husband calls me. I cannot even imagine ignoring his call. I take it as serious as the call of God. For me, rejecting my husband’s call is a luxury I cannot afford. I want our marriage to continue.
 
If I was Queen Vashti, knowing that I will be embarrassed in a room full of drunken men, I could have still come to see my husband. I will pray in tongues in my heart that before entering that room, my husband (even if he is drunk) will pity me and let me to go back to my room. I believe that God can change the heart of any king! And even if I have to stand there embarrassed, I will ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen me among those foolish drunkards. In difficult times I pray to be able to use my pain for the glory of God! The shame I will experience will bring me closer to Jesus who also suffered shame on the Cross, dying for me. But no matter how, if my husband calls me, if he needs me, I will come at once! So help me, God! Dear Queen Vashti, I am sorry, but you cannot be my friend! I am with Queen Esther, who is my sister and mentor!
 
Now I have to go for my husband is calling me… “Come with Me from Lebanon, My bride, come with Me … My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me…. (SS 4:8; Jn 10:27)
RSL and SLL 3

YOU HAVE COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD

“And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him” (Est 4:13-17)

This was a spiritual emergency. Like a father to his daughter, Mordecai spoke the word to Queen Esther. He could only speak. He could not force her to fulfill her destiny. Esther knew that she has to stand and speak to the king, not as a wife, not as a mother, but as a woman of God.

Each ‘office’ comes with its own mantle of responsibility. There is a way you dress as a single woman and there is another way you dress as a married woman. There is a way you dress as a wife without children, and there is another way you dress when you are pregnant. In the same way, there is a way you behave and speak when you are on vacation, or when you relax at the end of the day. There is another way you behave and speak when the Word of God is deposited in your heart and comes on your lips. For example, it does not really matter how you say ‘good morning’ to your neighbor. But it matters the way you speak to him saying: ‘you must be born again!!!’. There is fire in the Word of God. It burns the chaff. It polishes the gold. You need to prepare your heart, mind, body and spirit for what God has called you to do. You must be ready to preach the Word in season and without season. It does not matter if you are in a good mood or not. Once the Spirit’ trumpet sounds, as a soldier, you must obey the command. There is a possibility that people will reject you and God’s Word in your mouth. There is a possibility that you will ‘perish’ trying to save the lives of others. If that is the case, it is better to ‘perish’ fighting like a soldier, than to hide under an expensive table, in a palace that cannot protect you from the wickedness of evil men outside.

Child of God, after you have done everything, taking the whole armor of God on you, the royal garments of authority provided by the King of kings, chose to stand!!! Like the way God was Moses, the same Jehovah God will be with you. No man, no woman will be able to stand against you. If anyone fights against you, that one shall fall at your feet, beg for mercy and acknowledge that God is with you and that God loves you. This day, as you enter a new year and a new season of life, I plead with you, re-surrender your heart and mouth to God! Serve God with the fruit of your lips! Offer your mouth to God! To the glory of your King who can never lose a battle! Praise God! Proclaim His name! Pray to God! Preach God’s Word! In Jesus’ name!

(Fasting and prayer day 1)

SELDOM VISITATION

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house; lest he become tired of you and hate you” (Pv 25: 17, AMP)
 
God is jealous over you! There is a danger among Christians. They replace the comfort of the Holy Spirit with close relationships, even marriages. The foundation for this is the work of familiar spirits. A familiar spirit is a demon that uses friendships. Two or more persons become too personal, unduly intimate in sharing all secrets. This becomes the basis for their friendship. It may not be sexual; it could be just emotional ties. They know each other too well, from close association and exchange of ideas. To the world this sounds like the perfect relationship or marriage. But the Bible calls this human over-familiarity -witchcraft. In the Old Testament, such were punished with death (Lev 20:27). In Hebrew the word for wizard is ‘to know another.’ It is someone who knows too much about you, who can predict and manipulate your spirit. Never allow yourself to be known completely by an-other human being. Never replace the comfort of the Holy Spirit with human friendships! No person can be ‘god’ to you! Friendship with people who have Familiar spirits will affect you with strange sexual lust and anxious guilty conscience!
 
“‘Do not turn to spirits of the dead, and do not inquire of familiar spirits, to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God..I’ll oppose and eliminate from contact with his people whoever consults mediums or familiar spirits, thereby committing spiritual prostitution with them” (Lev 19:31; 20:6)
 
In Christ I declare:
I will bring all my relationships to my Heavenly Father’s altar and lay them there. Lord, may the only ones that survive the fire of Your jealousy remain. I let go of all the rest. May all my relationships bring You glory, even in my marriage and friendships. I ask for forgiveness and cleansing for any ungodly relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

BREAK CAMP – ADVANCE – SEE – TAKE POSSESSION

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance… go… see… Go in and take possession…” (Deut 1:6-8)
 
There is something called “frozen” will. Too much thinking, too many options, emotional overload, too many questions of ‘what to do next’ until your will becomes frozen and you can’t move on at all. You have to make a decision! See, you are exhausting the available time to act. The door of opportunity opens and closes and you are still there in front of it. A door is a sign to move on! Are you afraid to try, afraid of change, afraid to move on, or afraid of making mistakes? While waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment, you may lose the only moment you have! Be ready for a change! Be ready to see and possess something new. Just move forward the next time the door opens. You never know when, but it may be any time, thru the narrow way, straight into your destiny! As for me, I’ll see you over there…
 
In Christ I declare:
It is true: In the past, I have wasted too many opportunities to move ahead in my life! But no more wasting! By faith, the next opportunity God gives to me, the next door He opens for me, I shall go though it; body, soul and spirit! Help me God! No more regrets! No more delays! No more fears! No more doubts!
Watch people: the next thing you see of me shall be only my ‘break lights’ (A Nigerian slang meaning you see the back of the car, moving on). Today is the day God has made! I shall rejoice and I shall be glad in it! Oya! (Another Nigerian slang meaning ‘let’s go’!)
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!

LOVELY SONG IGNORED

by Silvia Lia Leigh, MD
“So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them” (Ezekiel 33:31, 32)
 
Many people (I call them ‘spiritual artists’) like prophetic meetings and prophetic utterances. They like to feel the rush of emotions when the secrets of hearts are revealed, when darkness gives way to the light of God. They like the sound of prophetic words spoken aloud in a congregation. They quote the prophet’s words to others, they admire them, they say ‘wow,’ they imagine the background music compatible with the utterance for the season; they design T-Shirts and banners or dance to the tune of heavenly bells. But… here comes the sad part of the story; they just like the sound of the words but they do not take them seriously, they do not obey them! Is this possible? Absolutely! In fact, it is quite common.
 
God warned Ezekiel to be careful with people who pay the price for a visit, have the right greeting prepared at the door, the attached smile and hand-shake, and all the flattery ready… but they were not true friends at all! They were gossips and greedy for selfish gain. They came to visit the prophet to glean some ‘garage sale’ prophetic words, cheaply bought but with some little polishing and repackaging in order to make millions in their latest bestselling books.
 
God’s Word is not a luxury, it is not sugar icing on our emotions or chewing gum to keep us awake in the church. The Word of God is not for sale! The Word of God is life, it is salt, and light in the darkness and it is the greatest weapon given to men!
 
In Christ I declare:
I trust in God and I trust in His Prophets! Because of this, I am established spiritually! I shall experience victory and prosperity!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!