“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10, 11)

This is my testimony: I was born in Romania where the winters are always heavy. I married my husband, Richmond Leigh and we came to Nigeria in 1980, to settle. We had three children. Both of us we practiced medicine here. When we came to Nigeria I could not speak English. At the beginning I struggled. The culture, the weather, the food, the people… everything was different than what I knew about life back home. As a wife, mother and doctor, I struggled to remain happy facing opposition, misunderstanding and anxieties of life. There are no winters in Nigeria. For many years I missed the winter especially at Christmas. It is like I left my child(hood) far away, in another land. I had to let go of my memories which only hunted me… I had to forget the past so that I can receive new blessings…

This is a letter sent to me this morning from a sister who had to relocate to another city. She, her husband and children were faithful members of our church. This testimony is to the glory of God and for the encouragement of others. As a pastor I rejoice when our spiritual children move in life filled with faith, wisdom and courage. To God be all the glory!

“Good morning Malia, how are you? Malia since the last time l saw you, we didn’t move to… immediately. l believe all things work together for good, for they that trust in the Lord. There were some minor delays, but to God’s glory we have now moved. Its a new apartment two bedroom and l like it. Malia, l want to give God all the glory for bringing my family and l safely, we prayed that there would be no police harassment or car troubles, because our car had faults, to God’s glory, we were barely stopped by any police and the car drove smoothly, then before we left, my husband filled the petrol tank, because we didn’t have much money on us, but we prayed and we trust that the Lord will provide according to our needs and Malia few days after we arrived the petrol tank was still full, 1week after it had barely changed, 10 (ten) days later we are still using it,

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him.” (Gen 2;18)

My husband and I we are married for almost 44 years. From the revelation of the Word of God and from my experience as a wife, mother, grandmother and pastor, I write these notes…

God invented the institution of marriage. God alone has the key to a successful marriage. He gives that secret key to them who are born again and who want to know His ways in all things, including their married life. Because we are born sinners, it is very easy to take love or marriage for granted. To take for granted it means to accept or to use something or someone in a careless manner. In marriage, it means to live together, have children but without true love for one another and without giving glory to God. This is a sad but very common reality even in the Christian homes.

Human beings are created to love God and to love others. God invented marriage where love can have a place to grow so that He can bless it. True love means to intimately know each other. This intimacy requires spiritual maturity and emotional stability. Each partner needs to know self and the other. Marriage is a deep mystery and full time work of love. A lazy man will make a bad husband. A selfish woman will make a bad wife. The fear of intimacy is poison to satisfaction in marriage. It leads to loneliness and depression even while married. In this way marriage has lost its godly purpose.

Marriage, love and true friendship are not easy. There are many snares to avoid, many tests to pass along the way. In the process of knowing one another, we fall into many temptations. Sacrificial love is risky because we are sinners saved by grace. We dream big but we invest too little for our dreams to come true. Most lovers get disappointed in life. A relationship can be wounded superficially or very deeply. Hurts received in marriage are very painful. The wounds of betrayal, even with prayers and patience, are slow to heal. It is easy to give up and decided to be ‘on your own’. This is the root of divorce. Many married couples have divorced spiritually or emotionally but they still live together. They sleep in the same bed and take care of their children. But their love got sick and died long ago. You should know that the devil hates Christian marriages. He will fight with all his strength to destroy your home. These are some lessons to improve your marriage. To apply these Biblical principles you need to be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Do not take your marriage for granted. Be very careful to avoid quarrels which cause division. Be sensitive when you sense that ‘the devil is in the room and the quarrel is coming’. The Holy Spirit will prepare your heart to sense that you need to keep quiet and still. Communication is like playing table tennis. Each partner feels like responding to the words of the other. Be careful: if the tone of voice becomes too high, the tendency to argue increases. Show self-restrain. Both love and self-control are fruits of the Holy Spirit. Talking is like driving a car. It is exciting to drive it full speed. It is fun to defend your opinions. But look at the Holy Ghost ‘traffic signs’. Keep below the speed limit. Learn to use your breaks. From time to time check your spiritual brakes, if the pads of patience are still functioning well and the oil of wisdom still intact. Quarrels between close friends, between husband and wife can end in disaster. You can wreck your marriage and it may not be possible to repair it on earth. Behave and speak in such a way that tomorrow, you do not need to apologize for your actions and words of today.

MY TESTIMONY
For me, apology is a friend and an enemy in the same time. For example, if my husband tells me that he is grieved by my actions or words, I apologize immediately. If I am not aware that he is wounded that is different. But if he tells me that I grieved him, the apology must come instantly from my heart. This is not the time to analyze my behavior. I know that he loves me. He prays for me. If he says I was wrong, then I am wrong. Period! Pain for me is a wonderful teacher. I do not waste it. I learn from everything, even from my ignorant mistakes. I apologize and promise to change. And I keep my word. I pray and trust God to change. I do not foolishly repeat the same mistake again and again taking for granted that the Holy Spirit will help us ‘to settle’. I always remember that love is a very delicate thing. A sudden electrical surge of one second can destroy a very expensive computer. Even so, a ‘little’ quarrel can damage trust and quench the spirit of love. So, I am very careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit! In Christ I declare that Jesus Christ is my first Lover! My husband is second lover! Then follow the children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters and friends! I thank God for them all! This is my story! This is my song!

Child of God, when things are hard, when tears freely flow and nothing is able to stop them, when you make mistakes, when you are misunderstood, when friends fail and family withdraws… then remember that God is always faithful! “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!” (Heb 13: 8). He was betrayed by sinners but He loved to the end. Crawl into His loving arms and find peace. You may not have all the answers. You may not need to have all the deep revelations of conflict because God knows them all. He knows your heart. He knows that you love Him. He knows your weakness and strength. He knows each word even before it comes on your tongue. He loves you with an everlasting love. You are secure in knowing Jesus, your Savior, King and Best Friend. He died for you. He forgives you. He is still with you. Inside your heart, no matter what, you can rejoice always! Love is not easy. But love is still the best gift of God. Be jealous over your heart! Cherish it! Give thanks to God for everything! Praise the Lord!

If praise is like perfume
I lavish mine on You…
Until every drop is gone…
I pour my love on You!
Imela-e….Imela-e…..

HAPPY WITH CHURCH TONIGHT

“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus” (Mt 14:28, 29)

The prayer meeting was good. To me, ‘good’ it means that the Person of God the Holy Spirit was here moving freely in our midst. The Holy Spirit gave us a word so that we can pray and worship God with it. This was the word: ‘Come back to Me!’ The Holy Spirit was leading the way so that we are able to come back to the Rock of our salvation. Thru thanksgiving, The Holy Spirit ministered entrance to us, into the presence of God, Thank You, Abba Father! The message was about Jesus and Peter walking upon the stormy waters (Mt 14:22-33). This is the story: Jesus miraculously fed thousands. They wanted to make Him king by force (Jn 6:15). He forces His disciples to take the boat, to cross the sea and to go ‘to the other side’. Jesus separates the disciples from the crowd because there is a danger to become attracted to desire only material things.  Spirituality is a personal race. The crowd may ‘swallow’ you into following a false gospel of ‘prosperity’. “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong” (Ex 23:2). Lesson: If Jesus commands you to go somewhere, you shall arrive at the destination. No storm is able to stop you! Jesus is the King of the storm! Fear not! In God’s time, you shall arrive at heaven! But God does not prevent storms in life. The trials come so that your faith is purified and your hearts established in grace. Jesus separates you from the materialistic crowd. Do not have too many friends. Do not follow unbelievers because they will drag you away from God. Pray for God to bring quality spiritual friends who challenge you to repent and to follow Jesus! True friends are more than gold!

It was a great storm. The boat was in serious danger. Jesus was not with them. It was in the middle of the sea and in the middle of the night. The wind was contrary and the waves terrifying. The disciples thought that they will die. At about 4 am Jesus comes walking on top of the waters. He was not running like somebody who is panicky. Jesus walked towards them calmly. Lesson: The trial will not kill you. Jesus will come to save you! Jesus is never too early and never too late.  They thought He was a ghost. Fear of death was added on top of fear of death. When fear is too much you should know that the devil is attacking you. How many deaths do you want to die? The devil is a liar! The stormy waters represent your problems. To be free from fear you need to see Jesus walking on top of your problems. For example, there is the problem of poverty, loneliness or sickness. What is it that you need? You need a fresh vision of the Resurrected Christ calmly walking on top of that poverty, that loneliness or that sickness. You need to hear the Lord’s voice that is stronger than the storm saying to you: ‘Come!’ His voice is above and louder than many waters (Rev 1:15). His courage will ignite courage in you. Because He lives, you shall live also! You shall come out from the boat of human effort and you too shall walk on top of your problems. The solution to all your problems is fresh spiritual sight and fresh spiritual hearing. ‘Walk like Jesus walked’ (1Jn 2:6). This is how progress, healing, deliverance and financial breakthrough is made. I pray that God will open your eyes to see Jesus, open your ears to hear His Word and give you the courage to get out from that passivity-doubt-fear boat into the faith that knows no borders. In Jesus name, amen!

“And He (Jesus) appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach” (Mk 3:14)

A Minister wrote me saying that he is frustrated with his ministry. This is my answer to him:

“May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace” (Ps 144:12)
This is my testimony: God has blessed me as a mother in Nigeria. This is me with my daughters: Jemine (the bride), Trish and Alina. Praise the Lord!

“I will love thee, O Lord, my strength” (Ps 18:1)
Five days ago, a sister in our church, a member of the choir, a young wife and mother of three children was shot and killed by armed robbers. This was a shock to all of us. Such a tragic and untimely death! Like a cloud of darkness, this event brought a sudden pain and depression upon myself. For two days I could only grieve without comfort. I was restless. I am her pastor. My sheep was killed by wicked men from outside the fence. ‘Abba Father, what shall I do?’ Some months ago she told me: “Malia, I think that God is calling me to come closer to Him. But I am afraid…” I told her: ‘If God is calling you don’t be afraid. God is a good God. He wants to bless you!’ Like an evil tsunami, the shock of this story pushed me away from the usual peace of God. The only scripture that I could remember to anchor my soul upon was this: “When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps 61:2). I needed a leading back to the Rock of Ages. Jesus is the way. I prayed for help so that I can follow His leading. I did not want to settle in depression and doubt. I need to go to the Savior, my solid unmovable Rock! A rock in the desert protects from the heat of the sun. Occasionally it rains in the desert. It produces flash floods that can easily drown a man. I hide in the Rock. I climb on the rock. This rock is my safety and my strength. I am week but He is strong. This Rock is not just a place, but a Person. This Rock is Christ, the only source of Living water (1Cor 10:4).

The Holy Spirit led the way back to the Word. Slowly, I crawled back to the manifested presence of God. On the third day I touched the Rock once more. Immediately my eyes were opened and I saw God in the tragic story. Like drinking water in the desert, I received the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, peace rested on my soul again. It was a miracle deliverance healing holy comfort moment. Praise the Lord! The Holy Spirit directed me to Psalm 18. I read it slowly and with each word I gained more strength. I saw that David too has suffered many things. He knew loneliness, rejection, betrayal, tragic loss and pain. The words I, me and mine appear 95 times in 50 verses. This describes a personal pain and a personal salvation. I need Jesus!!! Before I can help others, I need the Holy Spirit for myself! For as long as you are not able to enter another person’s pain, you cannot help that one. ‘You weep with those who weep and you rejoice with them who rejoice’ (Rom 12:15). These are deep words, exchanges of spiritual virtue and life from the stronger to the weak. Supernatural comfort is given not to store but to be shared with the needy.

I saw that thru all the trials of life one thing never changed: God! David testifies that God was always with him. God delivered him from violent men and from wicked hateful spirits. With the Help of the Holy Spirit, reading this Psalm, I could see God in the tragic story of this sister’s death. The armed robbers could only kill her body. They could not kill her soul. They could not take her to hell. They are not the heroes of this story. They were agents of darkness, cowards and failures. God is the hero of the story. Jesus, the Savior of this sister takes all the glory. What looked like a tragedy, to me now looks like powerful deliverance. The wicked men were violent and noisy. But the angels of God were gentle with her, quieting her soul in the few seconds of life she had on earth. ‘You stoop down to make me great…Your gentleness has made me great’ (Ps 18:35). In that night of lonely pain, God stooped down and Sister Mimi became ‘great’ in His presence. What a change of feelings for me! The angels carried her soul up to God in quietness and peace. This is my testimony: for me, the two days of painful mourning ended when I saw the truth. Sister Mimi is now free to worship God forever, in heaven. God won the battle! To God be all the glory! Me too I worship God who is greater than all!

Let’s pray: I come against any evil spirit of depression, witchcraft, fear, doubt and backsliding. I reject you! I destroy any spell of unholy bitter hopeless mourning over your soul. In Jesus name! I declare that Jesus is Lord! By the power of the Holy Spirit, be comforted today. Comfort others with the comfort you have received from God. We shall continue to worship God to the end, now and forever! Death cannot separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

“I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King
In what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear…”

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2Cor 1:2-5)

Question:                What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from all the power of the devil.  He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit He also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

We had a difficult week. A sister in Christ, member of our church, soloist in the choir, wife and mother of three small children, was shot and killed by armed robbers. In the middle of the pain, we have to go back to the Word of God, for comfort; for there is no other comfort outside Christ. The question and the answer above are taken from the Heidelberg Catechism. This is the stand of all Christians. We need Comfort always! Life is hard. We all need supernatural comfort. Not only when we are old, sick, mourning or in trouble. We need God’s comfort always, every moment, even when we are well, young and happy. Comfort is a spiritual word. It means to live in a state of freedom from anxiety, pain, shame, suffering, guilt and grief. It means to experience rest in your soul, joy, peace, hope and satisfaction in life. The opposite of comfort is depression, anger and spiritual torment.

The Holy Spirit is the Heavenly Comforter. We need to receive and retain the Holy Spirit. We need to remain filled with the Holy Spirit even to overflow, to be able to touch others with the comfort we have received from God. Family and friends may help and encourage you in times of trouble. Money can buy some little happiness. But no one and nothing else apart from the Holy Spirit can truly comfort your soul. Seek God and His comfort! If you desire to live an independent and rebellious proud life, then you reject God’s comfort, for He comforts only those who confess their need for God. Jesus Christ, our Great Shepherd, only takes care of His sheep and not of the goats that ‘join’ His flock by the side, for temporary entertainment and some stolen food. The Holy Spirit’s comfort works in life and in death. It works unto the end. It works in all circumstances and seasons of life. Have faith in God! No matter the trials and temptations, because we have the hope of glory, we have God’s comfort too.

Are you a child of God? Then receive the strength, peace, joy and comfort by the power of the Holy Ghost! At the name of Jesus, depression, fear, sickness, loneliness and grief must bow and go away. Holy Spirit, please come and fill us again! Thank You Lord! Joy comes in the morning… It is well!

M-am nascut an Romania. M-am casatorit si am avut doi copii (Alina si Ion) an Romania. De ziua Romaniei, eu ma rog ca Dumnezeu sa biecuvanteze tara mea natala cu binecuvantari spirituale si materiale. An numele Lui Isus, Amin!

Romania is my birth country. I met my husband Richmond Leigh in Romania. We got married and had two children (Alina and John) over there. Today is Romania’s national day. God bless Romania with a fresh move of God, with true revival, with spiritual and material blessings found in Christ alone! For His glory! In Jesus name, amen!

“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:4-6)

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2Tim 1:9, 10)

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Heb 13:20, 21)

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Rev 13:8, 9)

The story of your salvation did not start the day you gave your life to Christ. It did not even start 2000 years ago on that Cross of Calvary. Your destiny story, your salvation testimony started in the heart of God ‘before the foundation of the world’. Before the visible universe was formed, before there was light on earth, there was a holy council in heaven between God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Trying to use our imagination, the Trinity meeting went like this:

God the Father: ‘As you know, since Lucifer was sent away with a third of the angels, heaven seems empty to Me. I have purposed to populate heaven. It is not with more angels, but with a new race, called mankind. I propose that We will create them according to Our likeness. They shall be male and female and they shall dwell on earth. They shall multiply according to their flesh. Out of their multitude we shall choose some to be saved and sanctified. Thru much suffering they shall become holy as we are holy. They shall come up here to join the choir of worshippers. On earth, Lucifer shall have access to them. He will deceive them to betray us. These things are planned to happen. Because of the future pain, I want You, God the Son, to pay the price for the rebellion of men. Their salvation depends on us, on You in particular. Down the ages, You shall take the body of a man and live among them. You shall tell them about Me, how much I loved them, even before the foundation of their world. The ones we chose in this meeting shall believe You. The rest will reject You and go to the desert of perdition. This is My heart plan and My mind purpose… What do You say?’

God the Son: ‘God the Father, I hear You and I love You. I understand Your plan. I love Your thoughts. I embrace Your purpose. I delight in Your words. I also understand that love has a price called death. I willingly lay down My life for these little but mighty worshippers. Right now I write their names on My Book of life. None shall be lost. Their numbers shall be complete. Father, may Your love slay My heart now. It shall manifest later on earth, when My human Blood shall flow down from a wooden Cross… I rejoice on behalf of sinners who shall become lovers and friends of God. I salute the grace that saves men. I can see the New heaven bubbling with praise and worship. I drink the cup You give to Me now. May Your will be done…All honor and adoration be unto You Father!’

God the Holy Spirit: ‘God the Father and God the Son, You have spoken well. I am a witness to all You’ve said. I also willingly accept the challenge to populate heaven with more worshippers. I shall go down to earth and I will tell men about Your love for them. Like wine in the vessels, I will fill them. I will work inside their hearts. I will give them the power to change. I will give them the strength to believe in God. I will direct their attention to God the Son. I will keep burning in their hearts the little flame of love until it consumes all bridges to their past of sin. I will seal them unto the eternal purpose of the Father. May Your will be done…All honor and adoration be unto You Father’

This is the story of unending love. This is the everlasting covenant that can never fail. Man was not there when his conception was ordained and his salvation was performed. Man broke other covenants in earth. But this everlasting grace covenant can never be broken. For the covenant was made with God Himself. God is a faithful God. There is no weak link in this holy agreement to create and to save worshippers. Before the mountains where placed on earth, before the birds flew in the sky, before the fishes swam in the ocean, before the flowers bloomed and the breeze cooled the air, the price for love was set and was paid in Blood. Life for life! Dear child of God, your destiny is too holy and your salvation is too old to be lost in a moment of time. Nothing in all creation can separate you from the love of God found in Christ Jesus! For love is older than creation. The plan of the Ancient of Days must stand. The Word of God is marvelous and mysterious yet forever true. Truth can never die. Truth is on your side. Love can never fail.  Be encouraged today in what God has done for you. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!

MEMORY LANE

This is what I wrote under this picture, on this day exactly 6 years ago: “Today at the church building site I was impressed at how the brethren worked and helped one another. One of the brethren forgot his yellow boots and the other shared one of his with him. One boot on one leg is better than none. It has to be God! Give thanks…” This picture is taken as we were building our church, Father’s House Bible Church, Warri-Effurun (November 2011). Jesus is Lord!!!!

Lord God “You are good and You do only good” (Ps 119:68)
You who pray for healing, for deliverance, for marital or financial breakthrough… You need to obey God’s Word and start to praise Him for what He has already done in answer to your prayers! You need to exercise your faith and move on from prayer to praise! It is not easy! The devil will try to block you so that you pray forever and praise never! Submit to God! Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Then you will be able to praise in advance and the testimony shall become visible! I believe 100% that God has heard and answered your prayers already! Therefore it is your time to rejoice and praise the Lord!!! Doubt 0%! Praise the Lord!

I know my Redeemer lives!
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives…
For I am a child of God!