“Put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious] So stand firm and hold your ground!” (Ephesians 6:13; 14, AMP)
My dear child, it is me, Malia. I am praying for you… As a believer, you should know that you need to be watchful against the enemy within and without. You need to be alert against any weakness of your flesh, and any possible attack from the outside, coming from the prince of this world. Like a watchman doing his job, you are alert against any movement of the enemy while it is still far away. In Medicine, it is said: ‘prevention is better than cure’. In the same way, in spiritual warfare, thru the Word of God and prayer, preparing for a possible attack during the time of peace, is half the victory. Put on your whole armor of God provided for you and stand your ground! For Jesus’ sake! You can do it!
Remember that we are all tempted. At the beginning of His public ministry, our Lord Himself was tempted by the devil for forty days. Temptation, therefore, is not sin. But submitting to the devil during the times of temptation, that is sin! The unbeliever cannot fight sin. He lives in sin. Sin is his normal ‘habitat’. Do not make close friends with foolish unbelievers! They are losers! Their house is on fire and they sleep happily. What a dangerous way to live… But the believer hates, detects and fights sin until there is a clear victory! This process is called ‘sanctification’. It is done by the power of the Holy Spirit and thru the knowledge and application of the Word of God. This is how you grow spiritually! You should desire and pay the price for spiritual maturity, when not only that you trust God, but that God trusts you! Don’t you want that God will trust you, with His power, or with His money? I do! This is godly prosperity without sorrow attached to it! Praise the Lord!
As a child of God, once you commit sin, you need to confront it. I am not talking only about the visible sins of the body (like fornication) but about other sins of the mind. For example: doubt, laziness, lying, impure imaginations, selfishness, fear of the future, or cowardice. Do not excuse sin! Do not tolerate backsliding! Do not be sorry for the devil! Do not make it easier for yourself to live in the flesh! Sin is criminal! Jesus died on the Cross for your sins. Once you repent of sin, do not stop until you are refilled with the Holy Spirit. This is how your peace is restored and your power is increased! Pray always! Love prayer ministry and intercession! Redeem the time thru the study of God’s Word and prayer! Time ‘wasted’ in prayer is never ‘wasted’! It yields great profit!
This is a reminder: Sin desires you; it is deceitful and deadly. Sin hardens the heart. After some time, unrepentant sin will paralyze your emotions. You will not feel guilty when committing sin. This is a terrible situation. Wake up! The devil is a coward! Sin has a way of creeping into our lives. It is as a frog in the kettle: if you drop a frog in a kettle of boiling water it will jump out immediately in reaction to the pain. But, if you put the frog in water that is room temperature and slowly heat the water, the frog will remain in the kettle until it is boiled to death. Paul understood that we all are vulnerable to becoming the frog in the kettle. Therefore, he commanded us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
To fight against sin is a form of worship, a way of giving glory to God, who sent Jesus to die for our sins! Die to sin! If sin is big or small, die to it! From the position of eternal victory gained at the Cross, die to sin! By faith, the power of the Cross is released for you! I hope you know that a dead man does not steal! A dead man does not lust sexually! A dead man does not covet another’s property! Be dead to sin and alive to Christ, by the power of His resurrection! This is the holy ‘formula’ for all success in your Christian life! As people see your spiritual progress, they will be challenged to follow Jesus too! Mentor them by your words and by your deeds! Have the mind of Christ! Think like Jesus! Behave like Jesus! Speak like Jesus! Love like Jesus! For the glory of our Father in heaven! And now, let us supply heaven with praise! Jesus is Lord! Glory! Halleluiah!

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus,You soldiers of the Cross;Lift high His royal banner,It must not suffer loss.From victory unto victoryHis army shall He lead,Till every foe is vanquished,And Christ is Lord indeed!”

(By C. B. Robertson)

(Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh)

During the Sunday service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching about the ‘Power of the Gospel’. Her main text was taken from the Book of Galatians. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:1-5).

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected has its own enemy. It is an evil spirit of religion. The devil cannot stop you becoming saved or you going to heaven. These are the acts of the sovereign God! But he can hinder your sanctification. As you make progress in your Christian life, you shall discover the need for spiritual warfare. The Gospel declares the total defeat of satan on the Cross. Satan does not want you to see the truth, that he has totally lost the battle against your soul at the Cross. The main strategy of the devil is to hide the Gospel, to grieve and quench the Holy Spirit and to replace it with a religious spirit. The wrath of God is manifested against suppressing with the truth, refusing the give God all the glory and living an ungrateful life. The evil spirit of religion wants you to ignore or disobey the truth, and foolishly, to enter a form of religious bondage. The same evil spirit wants you to come to church, listen to sermons, praise and worship God, work of God, but only as a form of a religious entertainment. These religious works do not give glory to God; do not ‘please’ heaven. They are only for the pleasure of religious people on earth! God forbid! As born-again believers, the most important thing we must do, is to keep close to God, study His Word and stay hungry for the fresh continuous filling of the Holy Spirit. Come to church! Listen to the preaching of God’s Word! The way to salvation, the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected, the justification by faith, even the wrath of God against sin, all these are revelations from heaven. You cannot buy them with money, religious works cannot manufacture them, no man (of God) can give them to you. Revelation is the peculiar work of the Holy Spirit. Nothing and nobody can replace that. Even preaching and ministry, without the Holy Spirit is in vain! If you are saved, as you hear the Word of God, the promises of God, you will sense a hunger for power to retain and manifest the same word. That power is the Holy Spirit! The power is the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected!

True godliness always has power in it! Are you a weak Christian? Pray to know the root of that weakness! It may be an evil spell! In Jesus’ name, be free! This evil religious spirit wants you to go to church, praise and worship God, but fall asleep during the preaching of the sermon. That sleep is not ‘normal’. A bewitching spell may be placed on you and you become ‘foolish’. The word ‘foolish’ means that your mind becomes slower, you spirit is sluggish. Under that spell, it becomes hard for you to remember scriptures, or to pray. Like a dark cloud, a strange weakness covers your mind. You become weak, fearful, and legalistic. In the past, you used to lead others but now, you need people to tell you what to do. You lose the personal sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Your faith in the God of miracles is damaged. Your Christianity becomes a boring routine and you lose the passion, the zeal, the joy, and the ‘bubbling’ of the Holy Spirit in you. The ever-fresh river of anointing is hindered from flowing, and you now live in a stagnant pool of old water and past glories. This is a dangerous sign that you are an internal backslider! You lose the vision of “Christ Crucified’. You lose interest in the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected. You started well, by faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit. But now, you want to walk in the flesh, for the remaining part of the race to heaven. That is foolishness! You have grieved the Holy Spirit! You need to stop immediately! Pray for mercy, and for help from heaven. Shout: “Jesussssssssss!!!!” Be refilled with the Holy Spirit!

In the last days ‘perilous, dangerous times shall come’. People will go to church but many of them are not genuine believers. The devil infiltrates churches and uses his agents. Ignorance is never a virtue! Pray for discernment! These wicked people try to control your mind with false doctrines and fancy deceptions. From such strange ‘Christians’, who love pleasure more than they love God, turn away! Run for your life! Do not marry them! They cannot be your ‘business partners’! Christianity is not politics or entertainment! Run! Because generally the women are more emotional about the trials of life, they are more prone to deception than the men. Husbands pray for your wives! (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Any ‘form of godliness’ without the power of the Holy Spirit is fake! Pay the price for reality! For power! Holy Spirit please come!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that the church in Laodicea was in this situation. They became proud, satisfied with their present level of spirituality! They said: “I need nothing else”. This attitude is dangerous: Jesus may ‘vomit’ you out of the church! This is the counsel of the Lord Jesus: “Buy from Me: gold to be rich, white garments to be covered, and eye slave so that you can see”. How do you buy these things? What is the currency for these blessings? Jesus does not want money from you. The payment is by the opening of the door of your heart! Jesus will enter and come in with all His gifts and blessings. You shall ‘dine’ with Him. You shall hear His loving voice again. He will call your name as it is written in His Book of life! He will tell you wonderful things from His Word, that you do not know! You will fall in love with Him again! He will restore the joy and the intimacy of your salvation! (Revelation 3:14-22). Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Let us pray: “Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word, for this loving rebuke! We are Your children! We are sorry for becoming infatuated with the world! We come back to You! We come back to the Cross! We reject every evil spirit of religion! We destroy every evil spell placed on our minds! Jesus, You are our Wisdom! We declare ourselves to be free and free indeed! We believe and we declare that Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave, for us, for our justification! May true revival come! Holy Spirit come and fill our hearts again! God, we hunger for You! Like the deer pants for the water brooks, so our soul thirst for You, for the only Living God! Thank You Father, Son and Holy Ghost! To You alone be all the glory! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!” Worship the Lord!

“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Ac 17:26, 27)Today, the people of Nigeria were to vote to elect their president. But the elections were postponed. Many are angry, frustrated and dis-appointed. I am sorry about that. I cannot change the events. But what I can do, I do! I pray for Nigeria… I pray for revival, for God’s favor and healing in this land. I pray for a fresh download of living hope and supernatural peace for the people living in Nigeria! I pray for godly wise leadership! I believe that God answers prayers! God never fails!I am a foreigner (better said an ‘oyibo’) living in Nigeria since 1980. I did not choose this country. I came here as a proud unbeliever. So many things have changed since then… Let me count just few blessings that will forever connect me with Nigeria: My husband of 45 years, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh, is a Nigerian. I became saved in Warri, Nigeria. My husband and I had a very successful private hospital here in Warri, Nigeria. We made money and fame here in Nigeria! Our last baby, Jemine, was born In Effurun, Nigeria. Our three children grew up and went to school here in Nigeria. For a time we went to live in America. It pleased God to send my husband and I back to this land to start a church for His glory and for the good of the people here. This is how Father’s House Bible Church, Effurun – Warri was ‘born’ in March 2000. My husband and I are pastors in full time ministry here in Nigeria. In Nigeria I learned a new language called ‘pidgin English’. I am very happy with that!Why I am saying all these things? Every day, and especially in times of trial, I encourage myself in the Lord! I remind myself of what I have and not what I’ve lost! Therefore: No matter how ‘bad’ Nigeria is or becomes in the future, I can never deny the wonderful blessing this country has been to me and mine. I know that God created the whole universe. There are 195 countries in this world today. Out of them all, God ‘picked’ Nigeria for me!!! Can you imagine that? It may be hard to believe but it is the truth! And God never makes mistakes!Did you know that not only did God create each one of us but He put us in this world in these times and in a particular place of His choosing? None of this is by chance or error. We may not be happy about God’s choice of timing or place. After all, the times are troubled and the world (some places in particular) is shaky.There is little we can do about living in these times. We can’t re-invent ourselves in another time. However, God gave us a free will and a life to live the way we choose. So we can move about for whatever reasons we consider valid. We can move to a place we believe will offer us more money, greater security or a better life-style. But rather than being unhappy or even fearful about where we are and casting around for other options, perhaps we should be praying: “Father, You have placed me here at this time. How do You want to use me? How can I be available to You so that You can work out Your purposes in this place?”So, in an increasingly insecure world, these words of Scripture serve to root and ground us. They provide us with the security of knowing that we are where we are because that’s what God has ordained, and to date He has not shown us otherwise.Let’s pray: “Abba Father, it’s not a mistake that I am living in insecure times, in a place that’s difficult and sometimes frightening. Please help me draw my security from You and not from the place where I live. Show me how I can be Your instrument of peace and healing here and now, how I can shine with Your love and joy and how I can share the good news of who You are with those around me. Father God, please I remind You to bless all the people living in Nigeria! We vow to give You all the glory! In Jesus’ name! Amen!”

(In the picture, my husband, Pastor Richmond Leigh, and our two daughters, Alina and Jemine, dressed in beautiful Nigerian attire)

(I wrote this letter in February 2019. Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh)

This Sunday, we had a Holy Communion service. Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching in the series called: ‘The Power of the Gospel’. Her main scripture was taken from the Book of Romans.  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness… because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful… being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:16-18, 1:21; 3:24).

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected is the POWER OF GOD unto salvation. The Gospel is not describing the power and it is not about the power. The Gospel itself IS the ‘Power of God unto salvation for anyone who believes’. The simplest definition of the Gospel is this: “Christ died and rose again, for me!” This sentence spoken in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, is like an injection. The sinner who hears it cannot sleep until he gives his life to Christ! That is power! In Greek, the word ‘power’ is ‘dunamis’ (from where the word ‘dynamite’ comes). This word means miraculous power. If you pray for miracles, pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. That is the first ‘miracle’ that you need.   

There are only two main concerns in the universe. Heaven wants that all creation should give glory to God and that men should be saved and go to heaven! Any other concerns on earth (politics, entertainment, ‘breaking news’…) cannot compare with the concerns of heaven. Standing before God, nothing else matters. No man can save you. No man can love you like Jesus. Think more of eternity. Seek God and all good things on earth shall be ‘added to you’. Run the race set (marked) before you, looking unto Jesus. Set your hearts of heavenly things (Colossians 3:1-4). If you seek the blessings, God will not be ‘added’ unto you. You must keep yourself in the center of God’s will. Master the habit to think of God and His eternity. God is your ‘Heavenly Father’!

Some Christians say that they do not need to hear the Gospel of Christ. They were told that it is only for evangelism. But that is a lie. We need the Gospel from beginning to the end. Salvation has three ‘levels’: The past salvation (your conversion, when you become born again); your present salvation (also called sanctification; when you learn to deny your flesh, take up your Cross and follow Jesus); and finally, your future salvation, your glorification (when you arrive in heaven). The first and the last ‘level’ are under the total control of the Holy Spirit. Nothing can go wrong there. But the middle one, the sanctification, can be a dangerous time because you need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. The devil may tempt you to go astray from the marked race and you may backslide. Even then, you cannot lose your salvation, you remain a child of God, though you backslide. But you lose opportunities for ministry, you injure your testimony as a Christian and you lose rewards in heaven. God will discipline you and bring you back to the Cross. No true child of God is lost forever! Give thanks to God!

 Salvation is the deliverance of sinful man from the consequences of the fall and sin, from the wrath of God! The doctrine of ‘the wrath of God’: God is angry at sin and at sinners, when they suppress the truth and they detract from His Glory (Romans 1:18, 21). God is angry especially with the sins of lying and idolatry! As the justification of sin thru Christ is a revelation, so God’s wrath is a revelation of the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:17, 18). If an evil religious spirit tells you about God ‘being angry’ you will misunderstand God. It is only the Holy Spirit that can reveal the truth to you, how God is angry at sin. His wrath is a manifestation of His love and holiness. The anger of God manifests differently towards the sinners and towards His children. To the sinners, God manifests as a terror, a consuming fire. No sinner can stand before God. But to His children, God manifests His anger as discipline, so that they repent and share in His holiness.

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that salvation is justification by faith in Jesus Christ! Justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is justified because of Christ who died for him. Justification does not immediately change us inwardly. There is still sin in the body. That is why we need sanctification. It is hard for a proud man to believe the gospel! Thru Adam’s fall, man has lost his freedom and authority. He became slave to sin. Because of Adam’ fall, all men are born sinners. They cannot come to the presence of God because God hates sin. They must die and go to hell. God has introduced a way to save men. This salvation is only thru Jesus Christ. At the Cross, there was an exchange: Men gave Christ their sins and He gave men His righteousness. This is new (the best) good news. It is not what men have done (not by works). It is what God has done! This Gospel is for everybody: for the Jew (who had the law) and for the Gentiles (who did not have the law). All need salvation thru faith in Christ alone! Nothing else can save you! Never forget the Trinity! The Father has designed the plan of Salvation. The Son executed it. The Holy Spirit applies it. Salvation is more than forgiveness of sins. Even if God forgives your sins, you still cannot enter heaven. You need to be properly ‘dressed in the garment of righteousness’ (imputed righteousness) provided by Jesus, at the Cross. Without the wedding garment, you are thrown away from the party of heaven (Matthew 22). Why do we need to know about God’s wrath? First, because it is in the Bible. God wants us to know the price paid for our salvation; the price paid to remove His wrath and accept us as His children. Then the fear of God comes to us, which is the beginning of wisdom!

What is this Righteousness of Christ imputed (credited, reckoned) to us? It is God’s free gift to the sinner paid with the Blood of Jesus! It is described as a Standing, a Garment, or a Credit!

*The Right Standing in God’s presence where there is freedom, authority, and fullness or joy!

*It is the Garment of Jesus that covers our sins, so that we stand before God without guilt or shame!

*It is the Heavenly Unlimited Credit paid from the account of Jesus to our spiritual empty account. It is the ‘alert’ of heaven saying that “Sinner is now Saint”, that “His grace abounds much more than any of your sins”! Amazing grace! Amazing Love!

Worship the Lord!

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him…” (2Tim 2:11, 12; KJ) Let us pray: “Dear Lord Jesus I bow before You! I worship You in the beauty of Your holiness! I say that You loved me first! Before You came into my heart, love was just an imagination, a stranger I envied from afar. But You came to me… You filled my heart with Your life! Your love has freed me from sin, shame, regret, torment and guilt! Thru it all, I have discovered, that Your love never fails! Even when I was unfaithful, You remained faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself! When I was sinking in depression, Your love was my anchor. Your love lifted me and put my feet back, on the Rock of Ages, Cleft for me! Oh, that I may know You better, that I may love You more… That I may share in the fellowship of Your sufferings for me, that I may experience this joyful glory called eternal life and the power of Your resurrection! Lord Jesus, I love You now and forever! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!’

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh continued preaching a new sermon in the series called ‘The Power of the Gospel’. Her main scriptures were taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them … Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:16-19; 3:24; NKJ). Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that the book of Romans is considered the greatest write up in human history. It is written by the great Apostle Paul. He wrote it to the Christians in Rome. He has never been to Rome before he wrote this letter. Rome was the center of civilization at that time. God used the Book of Romans more than any other Book in the Bible to cause revival in the church. The great Martin Luther became converted thru the revelation of Romans 1:17. In the Book of Romans, the first 11 chapters describe the major doctrines of salvation by faith. From chapter 12 to 16, Paul writes the application of the doctrines. The reason why Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome was ‘to impart’ spiritual gifts so that they become ‘established’ in the faith (Romans 1:11). Lesson: conversion is only the beginning of the Christian race. We need the Gospel, not only at the beginning, but to the end. We need to become established, fruitful, and mature in the faith. The greatest teaching in the Book of Romans is this: Paul introduces the Gospel of Christ. In it, Paul describes the approved way to be right with God, righteousness, or justification by faith in Jesus Christ! This is the greatest doctrine of the Protestant Reformation! According to many Bible scholars Romans 3:24 is on the same level with John 3:16!!! Please memorize and meditate on it! This is the Gospel in one sentence: We are “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). Hallelujah! WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? The simplest definition of the Gospel is this: CHRIST DIED AND ROSE AGAIN FOR ME! In the Old Testament the Gospel is revealed as a shadow. For example, God cursed the serpent and the innocent lamb was killed to clothe the guilty Adam and Eve. Abel died for bringing the accepted sacrifice. Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar, but God provided an innocent lamb to die for him (Genesis 3:15, 21; 4, and 22). All the animal sacrifices in the Book of Leviticus direct us to the Gospel. In Greek, the word ‘gospel’ (Euangelion) means ‘good news’. It appears 99 times in the Bible. These are different names: The Gospel of God, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Gospel of His Son, The Gospel of the Kingdom, The Gospel of the Grace of God, The Gospel of the Glory of Christ, and Paul calls it: ‘My Gospel’. The Gospel is A REVELATION FROM GOD!!! It is not a teaching from men. You need the Holy Spirit to preach and to receive the Gospel! There is ‘another gospel’ which is fake and comes from human teaching (Galatians 1:6-12). It does not change the hearts of men and it has no power to save sinners. When they receive the fake gospel, the people become religious but are not saved! There is a curse over the preaching of such a fake Gospel! The true Gospel comes with God’s power to change hearts, to save men and to give them eternal life! The Holy Spirit blesses the preaching of the Gospel! Paul preached the Gospel to unbelievers and to believers. The Gospel is for salvation and sanctification. Paul always preached the Gospel in the power, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 1:17; 2:1-5; 1Thess 1:4-6, 10). The Gospel tells people that God has done something, to save them. This is something only God could do! It is not what men have done (works) but what God has done! As you preach the Gospel, never forget the Trinity! The Father has designed the plan of Salvation. The Son has executed it. The Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts that we may receive the Gospel and understand it! Worship the Lord! PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES1-“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8, 9; NKJ)The presence of God is the antidote against the spirit of fear and intimidation! 2-“He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3; NKJ)The word ‘paths’ means going up on the spiral staircase to the place of rest and prosperity! 3-“The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!” (Proverbs 26:13)The spell of laziness that leads to poverty is broken! The supernatural prosperity has come! In Jesus’ name! Glory to God!

Our Lord said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)Blessed is the man (woman) who comes to the end of himself. Blessed is the man who understands his own spiritual bankruptcy, who does not trusts the power of the flesh but he trusts in God alone! Blessed is he who by the power of the Holy Spirit has died to sin, to the world and to himself! Blessed is he who has come to Christ Crucified and Resurrected, because this is the point — the only point — where God’s help is provided! You cannot start to live, to truly live, until you die (to self)! If you lose your selfish life for the sake of Christ, you shall find Christ and yourself in Him! This is the eternal treasure no thief can steal, no moth can damage! In life and in death, be one with Jesus! Abide in His Word! May His Word abide in you! No divorce here! Then, the power of resurrection shall manifest in you! The eternal life in you will begin to become fruitful! There is no bareness in the Kingdom of God! Jesus is the Lord!!!(Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh)

Beloved children and dear brethren, it is Malia again. Since my beloved husband Richmond Sisan Leigh, who is also your father in the Lord, has suddenly gone to heaven, many things have changed for me. But I testify that the presence of God is unchanged. God is still with me! Emmanuel! Like I said to you in the past, in the natural, my life is simpler (I cook less, I worry less).  But in the spiritual, I see my spirit going deeper in the ocean of His grace. For that, I am grateful to God! I am training my spiritual eyes to gaze only on the Lord Jesus Christ, ‘who for the joy set before Him, He despised the Cross, sorning its shame’ (Hebrews 12:2). I am tapping from that ‘joy ahead’ that kept Jesus faithful, focused, and strong. I have the assurance of heaven! This is my stabilizing strength and my drawing anchor. Halleluiah!

The truth is that my past was wonderful. I became saved in 1986. I was happily married to your father in the Lord for 47 years. We have three adult children, grandchildren, and many spiritual sons and daughters. We started this great church called Father’s House in Warri/ Effurun, serving God here as senior pastors. By any standards, these are great achievements and sanctified memories, to the glory of God. But even then, I refuse to look behind. I look straight ahead and upwards. I see my Savior’s wonderful face. It is clearer and clearer. By faith, I also see my husband in the cloud of witnesses, encouraging me to be strong and faithful to God to the end. I have no excuse to be weak. I must be strong until the finishing line. In Christ, I am a champion, and even ‘more than an overcomer’! It is my honor to serve the Lord Jesus Christ by preaching His Gospel and by shepherding His flock, for whom He shed His precious Blood. I could have preferred that my husband was here with me on earth. But I refuse to complain. I give thanks to God for my life, trusting Jesus to keep me strong and healthy, until I see Him face to face! I see that it is my destiny to be the Senior Pastor of Father’s House. God will help me fulfill my destiny in Christ. I trust Him, now and forever! God is faithful! God is good! Amen!      

I recently read this scripture: “There is also a difference in attitude between a wife and a virgin. An unmarried woman is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married has concerns about the things of this world–how she may please her husband… Now I am telling you this for your own benefit; not to place a snare in your way, but to show you what is suitable, so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction” (1 Corinthians 7:34, 35). It is interesting how for so many years I focused only on the advice given to the wife. I ignored the part of the ‘virgin’, of the single or unmarried woman. I just decided ‘that is not my portion’. I read here that the wife is ‘distracted’ from her worshipping God by the cares of this world; by taking care of her husband and children. Paul said that it is ‘good not to be married’ because marriage brings a lot of stress and troubles connected with this world (1 Corinthians 7:25-28). I ignored this advice too because for me it was ‘too late’. I was already married to my husband for life. I just could not imagine myself un-married to him. I tried my best to combine my spirituality, with my work as a wife and a mother. By any standards, I was a successful woman of God, wife, and mother. My husband said so and many people said the same. That made me so happy!

Then the unbelievable happened… suddenly, after a mild sickness, my husband quietly went to be home with the Lord. My world crashed. My hope vanished. My dream died. As you well know, the Holy Spirit took over my life and gave me the strength to stand alone and continue to serve God. I am grateful for His love, peace, wisdom, compassion, and supernatural comfort. In this my pain, I have re-discovered that God’s grace is truly enough for every situation in this life. When things are good, you cannot imagine how others feel in their times of trial because you cannot assess the grace released to them. The truth is that the Holy Spirit genuinely surprised me! First, by not preparing my mind in advance for my husband’ quick departure to heaven. Secondly, by holding me tight when I lost it; by carrying me in His everlasting arms, to make progress, even during my pain. I fear God more!

I never knew how great God is until now! My life was sheltered from the storms of life by God and by my husband. From time to time, the wind of life problems was blowing, but it was always outside. It was not inside my home, where I felt covered, at peace with God, with my husband, children, and with myself. “Fervent, deep, genuine Love covers and protects” (1 Peter 4:8). Looking back, my beloved husband loved me deeply with the sacrificial, never-failing love of Christ. With him around I felt safe. I could tell him anything, good or bad. We talked a lot. I appreciated his love, patience, and wisdom. Long ago I prayed that when I look at my husband’s face, I will see Christ. When I hear my husband’s voice, I will hear God’s. My husband’s hands brought peace and healing to my body and to my soul. This is truly my marriage testimony and my life’s treasure. My husband is now in heaven. I am happy for him because I know that he loved Jesus more than he loved me. He is where he always wanted to be. He read, preached, and dreamed about heaven until he finally arrived there. He is with Jesus now! God says: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Heaven is the end of the Christian race. Therefore, it is ‘better’ to be there. One day, when my work on earth is done, I too will go to the same heaven, to see Jesus Christ, my Lord, face to face. I will also see God’s son, Richmond (Tali), my wonderful husband on earth, dressed in his glorious garments of imputed righteousness, Christ’ gift to him. What a reunion that will be! For now, I will make him proud by serving God to the end! Amen!       

The other day I found a bible my husband bought for me and gave it me on the 24^th of February. 1987. At that time, I was a baby Christian and I was madly in love with Jesus. My crisis conversion rocked the boat of our happy marriage. My husband tried to understand my new religious passion but often, he could not. One day, I told him that from now on, ‘Jesus is my senior husband’. That he should be happy with the second position in my heart. Looking back, I know that the way I said it, it was too harsh. Like any baby Christian, I was making mistakes by putting too much pressure on him to give his life to Christ. Of course, he resented my approach. Because of that we had many arguments. One day, trying to make peace, he gave me a Bible as a gift. He knew that I would appreciate such a (prophetic) gift. I opened the first page of the Bible. I read these words: “Lia, From your Junior husband, with love, Richmond”. So many years have passed, but the words are still clear in black ink. I somehow forgot about this gift. Recently, I remembered it. I read these words again, trying not to weep, with worship in my heart. Oh, Jesus… My husband was truly a man of God! Prophetically, he released me to the Lord, even before himself got reconciled with Jesus. Glory to God! I bow before You, my heavenly Bridegroom, my Jesus, my Lord!

I am grateful to my husband for being such a wonderful prophetic teacher and communicator. We used to talk a lot, about everything. His words are written in my mind and sealed by the Holy Spirit. They are part of me. I cannot forget them. They fuel my ministry. For example, he said: “Lia, there is no retirement with worshipping God. Even in our old age, we must serve Him to the end. His holy calling to us as pastors does not have a retirement program. God will give us more grace and more wisdom, as we get older and our bodies get weaker. Lia, fear not old age or the future. We are in God’s hands forever!” It is because we discussed these things, it was easier for me to decide to continue the work of ministry. Now, I cannot be my husband’s wife on this earth, but my work to serve God continues, until that day. This is how my husband talked and advised me. This is how he went to glory. His words and a practical testimony to me. He has made it easier for me to follow Jesus. I am grateful, my God!

Another gift my husband left behind for me is this: Ministry Encouragement!  He always encouraged me to have ‘a life, a ministry, and an anointing of my own’. As close as we were, even as co-laborers in the ministry, we encourage each other to stay faithful to the Lord first, before sharing revelations and experiences with each other. In the church, my husband gave me the privilege to be the pastor of the women and to lead the ‘Saturday class’ prophetic prayer meeting. He allowed me to be free to prepare my sermons and to preach as the Holy Spirit empowered me. He not only ‘allowed’ me this freedom, but he encouraged me to be strong and pursue the Lord by myself. He did not allow me to lean too much on himself. When I tried that ‘feminine style’, he will rebuke me. He told me to seek God for myself, not to ‘borrow’ anointing. He never flattered me. He always spoke the truth in love. Once, he told me: “Lia, I hope you know the reason why I do not attend Saturday Class prayer meeting. This is for two reasons: first, I need to prepare my own sermon for Sunday, and I cannot be distracted. Secondly, it is for your good, that you learn to minister alone, without me. I hope you know that it is for your benefit that I am not there all the time with you. My presence will limit your freedom. I do not want that! Be bold for Jesus! I pray for you to become a strong woman of God. Learn to stand alone with Jesus by your side. He is more than enough for you!” These words, painful and somewhat mysterious at the time, have brought much prophetic comfort to me recently. He may not have known, but the Holy Spirit was using him to prepare me for this time when I am ‘alone with Jesus’. To be strong even when his physical presence with me is missing. He was right! The presence of Jesus and His grace is more than enough for me! For anyone!  

Finally, my life is now totally dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, without any interruptions or worldly distractions. If I were a Roman Catholic, I could have become a nun, in a monastery. I now understand their commitment to Jesus. My dear children, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! May God perfect the good thing He started in you. May you fulfill destiny! In Jesus’ name! And now, what can I say? To God be all the glory!

Love in Christ alone,

Malia!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘The power of the Gospel’. Her main scripture was taken from the Book of Romans. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Apostle Paul said that he was not ashamed of the Gospel. Why? Because the Gospel is the power of God to save your soul. The Gospel is not talking ‘about’ the power of God, but IT IS THE POWER OF GOD!! It is God’s work!!! From beginning to the end, God works in us thru the Gospel. The Gospel is not just for evangelism. It is also for sanctification. We need the Gospel always, not only at the beginning, but to the end of the race.

Before ascending to heaven, the resurrected Christ said to His disciples: “You shall receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  In these two scriptures, (John 1:16; Acts 1:8) the word ‘power’ is the same. In Greek, it is the word ‘dunamis’. It means miraculous power or the miracle of God. This power comes from heaven, thru the Word of the Gospel of Christ, crucified and resurrected, and thru the Holy Spirit. This power is a miracle and it produces results. This power is always effectual, radical, and eternal! it is the only power able to change the hearts of men. Do you pray for a miracle? Then pray for a clearer revelation of the Gospel and be filled with the Holy Spirit! This is the secret of power from above! This is the ‘heavenly prescription’ of power written with the Blood of Jesus on the tablet of your soul. Believe it!     

How does God save? Thru the Cross of Calvary! God’s primary reason why He sent Jesus to die on the Cross it is because there was need to redeem His reputation. In the Garden of Eden, the devil made God a liar. Jesus died to prove that God is true! God is holy (He hates sin). God could not forgive men their sins. A sinner cannot enter heaven because he will pollute it! Somebody must die for sin: the sinner or a holy substitute! “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23).  Christ died to prove that God’s Word is true! He also died for us, to save us! Salvation is God’s plan and God’s work! That is why salvation is eternal and sure. Once you become saved, you cannot ‘lose’ your salvation! You may lose rewards and testimony but not your salvation! The basic principle of the Gospel is faith. You must believe in the Person of Jesus Christ and in His death for you! This is the doctrine of salvation in Christ: Because of His death, our salvation is eternal, final, and full! Everybody that is saved on earth, shall be glorified in heaven! This is called the doctrine of ‘the absolute security of our salvation’! It is God’s plan and action. The Gospel is not about what man has done, but what God has done! That is why salvation cannot be frustrated. God is in charge! Praise the Lord!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that the Resurrected Christ told His disciples (and to us, the believers): “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with POWER from on high” (Luke 24:49). The word ‘power’ is the same ‘Dunamis’. The command of the Lord was that the disciples should ‘tarry’ in the city (for us, it is Warri, Effurun, Nigeria). The word ‘tarry’ means to sit down, to settle in one spot. As we wait for the Holy Spirit to come afresh on us, we too need to ‘sit down’, have faith and wait. We should not be restless because of the cares of this world. The Holy Spirit and power cannot ‘land’ on restless people! The disciples were seated when the Holy Spirit came from heaven (Acts 2:1, 2). This position of sitting and waiting in faith is the same that Jesus commanded when He fed the multitude (Matthew 14:19, 20). Lesson: If you are restless, the miracle of supernatural provision cannot ‘locate’ you! Sit down!!!! The resurrected Christ tells us (the believers) that we now sit with Him on His throne, in heavenly places (Revelation 3:21; Ephesians 2:6). These places are royal thrones of authority and power in the presence of the Lamb of God! Lesson: child of God, the world calls you to go in many directions, to be anxious and restless. The call of sin is to distract you. In the name of Jesus, you need to quiet your soul and sit at His feet. That is the place of power, peace, and provision! The word ‘endued’ (with power from on high) means to be clothed. As you sit at the feet of Jesus and wait for the power of the Gospel to be revealed afresh to you, the Holy Spirit will place on you His mantle of grace, the garment of the imputed righteousness of Jesus. It is the royal wedding gown given by the Heavenly Bridegroom to His Beloved Bride, the Church. Our Lord died and shed His Blood to ‘clothe you with power from on high’. Jesus died for His Beloved Church. Oh, the Blood of Jesus… Glory to God! May revival come! Worship the Lord!         

During the Sunday service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘The Worship Continues’. Her main text was taken from the Book of Isaiah 6:1-8. King Uzziah was a good king in the Southern Kingdom. He became king at the age of 16. He ruled on his throne for 52 years. He became wealthy, having lands and livestock. He built many structures, towers, wells. He fought against the Philistines and conquered new territories for Judah.  He had a big well-trained army. He designed new weapons of war. His fame spread far and wide.  “He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper” (2Chr 26:5, NKJ). Lesson: Seek God and God will prosper you! The word ‘seek’ means to search patiently, tirelessly, until you find the promised treasure. This seeking God is an act of worship. The word ‘prosper’ means to have the power to push forth until the breakthrough manifests! You will have the expected victory, and the promised success. Isaiah’s ministry was done during King Uzziah’s time. They were friends. King and prophet cooperated to bring glory of God. But after the king died, Isaiah became depressed and discouraged. It was during that time that God opened Isaiah’s eyes to see Jesus, the King of kings. He saw the Lord Jesus 700 years before He came to earth to die for sinners.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). The word ‘high’ means to actively rise eternally, higher, and higher. The word ‘lifted up’ means to be exalted and to carry many others in His arms. Our Lord said: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32; NKJ). Lesson: as you worship the Lord Jesus, He will carry you, and your family, higher, closer to Him, so that you worship Him even more. The vision changed Isaiah completely. It ordained him for ministry. It resurrected his spirit! He became the greatest OT prophet. It helped him to focus only on the King of kings. This gave Isaiah the anointing, power, and wisdom to be a man of God! Lesson: when your spiritual life is stagnant, with no fruits, no miracles, all you need is to see Jesus, “high and lifted up”! A man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an opinion. You need to experience the power from on high! You need to be baptized with the fire of God! Then revival will come!

What did Isaiah saw and experienced?

1-Isaiah saw that God is in charge of everything!

This reminds us of the doctrine of the sovereignty of God: God created the universe. He rules overall. His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. God can never lose! God can never fail! He not only knows your future, but He designs your future. This is the doctrine of election: before the foundation of the world, God has chosen some people to be saved thru Christ’ sacrifice. The natural man is too proud, and he hates this doctrine. But the Bible says that God has foreknown and predestined us to be saved and to go to heaven (Romans 8:28-30). That is why we are sure ‘to make heaven’. Isaiah saw Jesus on His throne. The fear of God came on him. All who see Christ in heaven fall before Him in worship. To many Christians, Jesus is too friendly. They think that they can control or manipulate Him. But Jesus is God! He reigns forever! The train of His robe filled the temple. The robe went down on every corner, on every chair. That robe is the power of God!!! When Jesus seats on His throne, no man (even the priests) could enter to perform their ministry. The train of His robe (like the hem of His garment) brings healing to those who worship and believe. Just have faith! This is the testimony of the woman with the issue of blood, “She said (and kept saying) to herself: “If I only touch His garment, I will be made well… She came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped” (Matthew 9:21; Luke 8:44). You too, stop complaining! Start to speak words of faith to yourself; encourage yourself! Stretch your hand of faith and touch His robe. You too shall be healed!  

Above the throne stood angels called seraphim flying in the air. Each one had six wings. With two they covered their faces (even after an eternity of staying in God’s presence, they never become overfamiliar with God!!). Lesson: no matter how much you know the Bible, and how much God has blessed you, please, never take God for granted! Fear God! Worship God! They cry one to another Holy! Holy! Holy! They worship the Trinity. They did not say Love! Love! Love! Or Power! Power! Power! For the holiness of God is His greatest attribute. The doors shook and smoke filled the temple! The smoke of incense rises to heaven as we worship Jesus on earth! Moses wanted to see God’s glory. God answered and displayed His goodness. The goodness of God carries His glory! (Ex 33:18, 19). Lesson: you must believe that God is good all the time! That is how you give Him all the glory!  The names of God in this vision are Adonai (The Master and the Controller of the Universe) and Jehovah Sabaoth (The Captain of the armies of heaven, the One who can never lose a battle). The angels were concerned about the glory of God in heaven and even on earth, with all the sin found here. They see this earth prophetically. The glory must cover the earth (even Warri/Effurun and Nigeria) like the waters cover the sea. Amen!

2-Isaiah saw that without God he is nothing!

Isaiah is a born-again Christian, a major prophet of God, not a thief or fornicator. But in the light of God he saw himself as a sinner. Only in the light of God you can see the truth about yourself and be able to repent. He shouted: ‘Woe!’ This is the shout of an unworthy, dying man. In the presence of God all pride dies! It is the purity and holiness of Christ that reveals our impurity and sins. Each man who saw the King of kings seated on His throne, fell on his face as dead. It was an unconditional worship (Job 42:5, 6; Joshua 5:13-15; Revelation 1:17, 18). Glory!

3-Thru fire, God commissions Isaiah for ministry and for a greater level of worship!

Finally, Isaiah experienced mercy and grace from the altar and is commissioned for ministry. When Isaiah was at his lowest, humbled, and broken hearted for his loss and for his sins, the angel brings fire from the altar in heaven. Jesus is our ‘Altar’ (Heb 13:10).  The fire cleanses Isaiah’s lips. The Blood of Jesus was shed to cleanse your heart, your conscience, and your lips. His ears were cleansed too for he heard the voice of Trinity speaking: ‘Who will go for Us?’ In His presence, shut up your mouth and listen! God speaks! Isaiah is willing to serve God in the day of His power (Psalm 110:3). God gives you anointing fire and power from above for your ministry. Men cannot give this treasure to you and money cannot buy it. Thru the touch of Spirit’s fire, guilt and shame are taken away. With blistered lips, Isaiah unconditionally surrender; no more arguments; no more questions; no more excuses. He acknowledges that Jesus has all authority, and all power, in heaven and on earth! The Lamb upon the throne alone is worthy! He reigns forever more! Holy! Holy! Holy! Jesus is Lord! The worship continues…  

I received this letter from a dear daughter in Christ. She is a humble and faithful worshipper, wife, and mother. I share her testimony of healing to the glory of God, to the shame of the devil and for the encouragement of the brethren! To God be all the glory!

“Dear Malia

I thank God the Holy Spirit for always being with you! It gives my husband and I joy when we see you on Sunday’s full of life. Truly this is God. Malia, I want to share my testimony of healing with you. When you preached healing on Sunday before last, I could identify with everything you said, and I can say that everything you said is true.  In 2018, I had a swelling on the left side of my lap, I really didn’t know what it was, but it was very painful. So I went to the hospital and they said it was a boil. But during the clerking, my BP was very high, so the doctor said that maybe it was because of the pain, she gave me some painkillers and asked me to come back a few days after. When I went back, my BP was still high, they carried out some other tests and saw that nothing was wrong. The doctor concluded that since there is history of hypertension in my family, it means I’m also hypertensive and will have to be on drugs. I didn’t want to accept it. I remember years ago during women’s fellowship, you would always said to us that in times of peace that is when to prepare for war. I had been reading and listening to teachings on divine healing. So I knew this was time to apply the word of God. I knew that Jesus had healed me ‘by His stripes’. I was afraid and very anxious. At a point I thought I was foolish to refuse taking any drug. In my heart I asked a question “is it wrong to go to the doctors or take drugs? I received an answer that I’m sure was from the Holy Spirt I heard in my heart: “There is nothing wrong with going to doctors or taking drugs, God Himself gave wisdom to doctors and pharmacists, but if you know and have access to the Oga why go to His apprentice?” (The Oga is Doctor Jesus!) This was exactly how the response came into my heart. I know I’m not that smart to respond to myself like that, so I know it was the Holy Spirit. I prayed! Suddenly, I stopped being afraid and anxious. That was my first victory! But the BP did not come down. It was still very high. But my faith was strong that the Lord had healed me! I confessed it with my mouth! I kept checking from time to time and it was still high, however I was not worried because I was convinced that I had been healed. To cut the long story short, I realized after a while that the BP had come down and normalized… From as high as 171/112 to 117/77 without any drug at all….  It took a while, but I chose to believe 100% the word of God. Praise the Lord!

It didn’t end there, I realized that every time I shared my testimony, my BP will rise, so I said to myself maybe I should stop testifying about my healing, immediately I recognized that was not from God, it was from the devil. I was angry, I commanded him to go and told him I will continue to testify because my healing was sure and sealed, immediately I took this position, the devil ran away. Now I testify without my BP rising. To God be the glory, I’m now moving ahead and not looking back. To God be all the glory!

Thank you, Malia, because you and Tali said yes to God, we are also able to walk in His path.

You are blessed Ma!”

This is the Word of God: “But He (Jesus Christ, our Lord) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Is 53:5)

During the Sunday online service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled ‘The power of the Blood of Jesus’. Her main scripture was taken from the Book of Revelation. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!” (Rev 12:11, 12a; NKJ).  It was a Holy Communion service. She read the following scriptures 1 Cor 11:23-26 and Luke 22:14-20. As a Body, we took the bread and we drank the wine in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, His life and especially His death, how He shed His Blood on the Cross of Calvary.

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that this sermon is a spiritual warfare sermon. She reminded us that we do warfare against the devil from a position of total victory gained for us at the Cross of Calvary. The Blood of Jesus was shed on the Cross so that we are saved, redeemed, justified, have eternal life, are cleansed, have access to God, and have the victory always. Many Christians are not aware of the value and the power of the precious Blood of Jesus. They ‘plead the blood of Jesus’ religiously but without a proper understanding. The Blood of Jesus means the death of Jesus. Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that it is not enough to read, memorize of admire the preaching of the Word of God. By faith, as the people of God applied the blood of the lamb on their doorposts (Exodus 12), so you must apply it to yourself, for your salvation, healing, and deliverance. You must repent of all known sins (in your mind, in your speech, in your body…). Humble yourself! Open your heart so that the Holy Spirit will ‘implant’ the Word of God in your heart. It is only then that the Word produces roots and fruits in your heart, changing your character and giving you a visible testimony. If not, just hearing the Word without its practical application in your life, it leads to self-deception and even greater sins (Jam 1:21, 22; NKJ).

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!” (Rev 12:11, 12a; NKJ). In Greek, the word ‘prevail’ means to conquer and to have total victory. The word ‘testimony’ means to give evidence (like in a court), to confess the truth, to have a godly reputation. It also means to be a martyr (ready to die for Jesus, and for the truth). The devil is called ‘the accuser of the brethren’ (Rev 12:10). The word ‘accuser’ means ‘a prosecutor in the court’. As you can see, the children of God are in a conflict with satan, but in Christ, their victory is sure. Observe that these overcomers did not love their lives even unto death. Their priority is to do God’s will, to give God all the glory to the end, thru life, or thru death. They have overcome the fear of death. Their total commitment is their flag of victory lifted high! Please note: These are the only people that satan fears!!!

What is ‘the word of their testimony’? It is not just testifying that God has been good to you in general, that He has helped you buy a new car or healed you when you were sick. It is more than that! This is a dynamite combination: The Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross and your word testifying what that Blood has done for you, according to the revelation of the Word of God! Each time you ‘combine’ the Blood of Jesus and your personal testimony about the same Blood, satan is always defeated! He cannot stand a chance! Child of God arise! Selah!

During the Passover night (Exodus 12) God, thru Moses, instructed His people to kill one spotless lamb for each family. The father was to kill the lamb and drain its blood in a basin. (This is a wonderful picture of God the Father sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to go and die on the Cross). The father then dips a humble plant called hyssop in the blood, which is in the basin, and with it, applies it on the doorposts of his house. Jehovah God said that once He sees the Blood, He will pass over that home and nobody will die inside. But if the blood of the lamb is not on the doorpost, He will kill the first-born son of each family (both the Egyptians and the Israelites). This is how the firstborn of all Egyptian families died that night. (This was God’s judgment on the Egyptians gods). In the morning, God’s people were set free. For as long as the blood of the lamb remains in the basin, that blood cannot save them from death. The blood must be taken from the basin and applied on the doorposts for them to live! This is a great lesson: For your salvation and freedom the Lamb of God has to die and, by faith, you must apply His Blood to your life (Heb 11:11:28). The shed Blood of Jesus must be applied thru faith on your souls for salvation to manifest. It is the same with the healing of your bodies. This ‘application’ is done by faith, thru your word of your testimony, confessing the power of the Blood of Jesus and how this power has worked for you and in you!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that we should be more practical. She said: ‘in Christ, this is my testimony! According to the Word of God, I freely and openly testify that the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross for me has saved my soul, gave me eternal awesome benefits and has also healed my body!’

*THRU THE BLOOD OF JESUS, I HAVE LIFE (Jn 6:53-57)

Therefore, I, (ex. Silvia Lia Leigh) declare, and testify that because of the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross I receive and have eternal life and the assurance of my salvation! Thru the Blood of Jesus, I receive spiritual nourishment so that I mature spiritually! I abide in Christ and Christ abides in me, in an intimate, delightful, eternal, unbreakable union with my Lord! Halleluiah!

*THRU THE BLOOD OF JESUS, I AM REDEEMED (Eph 1:7; 1Pet 1: 18, 19)

Therefore, I, (…. your name) declare and testify that because of the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross, God has forgiven me all my sins, according to the riches of His grace. Once, I was a slave to sin and to the devil, But Jesus shed His precious Blood to buy me from the slave market and now, I am forgiven and free. I am a child of God. I have nothing to fear anymore!  Halleluiah!

*THRU THE BLOOD OF JESUS, I AM CLEANSED (1Jn 1:7; Heb 9:14)

Therefore, I, (… your name) declare and testify that because of the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross, I live in the light, speak the truth in love, have genuine fellowship with other brethren in Christ, and I live with a clean conscience in the presence of God. I have no fear, no shame and no guilt concerning my past sins. I am not bound by religious laws, or by the opinions of men. I am led and empowered only by the Holy Spirit. The Blood of Jesus has set me free indeed! Halleluiah!

*THRU THE BLOOD OF JESUS, I AM JUSTIFIED AND SANCTIFIED (Rom 5:9; Heb 13:12)

Therefore, I, (…. your name) declare and testify that because of the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross, I am now declared righteous before God. I stand before God like I have never sinned. The devil cannot accuse me about my past sins or past mistakes. The devil is a liar! I reject him! I am totally covered by the Blood of Jesus, powerful, clothed, free, and joyful! Boldly, I draw closer to Jesus and become like Him, more and more, every day! Halleluiah!

*THRU THE BLOOD OF JESUS, I HAVE ACCCESS TO GOD (Heb 10:10-14; 19-22)

Therefore, I, (…. your name) declare and testify that because of the Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross, I have free access before the throne of God anytime, day of night. My Lord Jesus Christ sits on His throne waiting for all His enemies to be made a footstool under His feet. I, too, by the Blood of Jesus, and by faith, I sit with Christ in heavenly places waiting for all my enemies (sickness, bareness, depression, doubt, fears, poverty mentality…) to go below my feet. Spiritually, I am the head and not the tail! Halleluiah!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said that we should never forget the value and the power of the precious Blood of Jesus. Christ died once and for all. The Cross can never be repeated. One day, Jesus will come again, as the King of kings, to judge and punish all evil! The Blood of Jesus shed on the Cross is all sufficient. There is no sin too great for the Blood to atone. The Blood of Jesus alone saves. God the Father accepts only the Blood of His Son for the salvation of sinners. During that night of the Passover, if the people of God applied on their doorposts the blood of another animal (goat or camel, for example), or they applied silver, gold and precious stones, or a list of their good religious works, they could not have been protected from death. Nothing saves except the Blood of Jesus! Jesus only! Jesus only! The Blood was applied not for men to see and impress, but for God alone to see. The Blood of Jesus speaks better thing than the blood of Abel (Heb 12:24). There is a great difference: Abel’s blood was taken against his will, was shed on earth, and speaks about vengeance! But Jesus, He willingly gave His life, sprinkled His Blood in the heavenly Holy of Holy, and always pleads for mercy on our behalf!!! “Thank You Abba Father, that even when I cannot pray, The Blood of Jesus speaks for me, and pleads for me in heaven!” The Blood of Jesus can never lose its power! “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the Blood of the Lamb!” Worship the Lord!

Prophetic scriptures: Ps 77:14, NIV and Job 22:23-30, AMP

Beloved children and dear brethren, it is me again, Malia. Day and night, I remember you in my prayers. I want to encourage you afresh, in the royal way of the Cross. Since my beloved husband and your father in the Lord, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh has gone to heaven, the Word of God and prayer is my daily bread. I observed that for as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus and I focus on His lovely face, I have total peace in my heart. Each time I look around or I look at myself, my ‘peace level drops’. In the past, I was too busy to observe this delicate spiritual balance. But now, I am much more sensitive to the rhythm of the Holy Spirit who is working mightily in me. Often, I feel like Mary of Bethany who sat at the feet of Jesus. That was her favorite spot. Sometimes, her older sister Martha, calls her to help in the kitchen. Mary did not want to refuse her sister, but she was happier at the feet of the Master, to listen to His Word. These days, I do not have to go to the kitchen as often as in the past. As my beloved husband went to heaven, I do not have to cook Nigerian dishes like in the past. Over the years, I became ‘a specialist’ in cooking Banga soup, Ocro soup, Ocro- pepper soup, Owo soup, Vegetable soup and other Nigerian delicacies. There is a way my husband liked his eba or the boiled yam. For example, the plantain slices were to be cut at a special angle to be fried as dodo. He was very particular not only about the taste of the food but the presentation at the table. These days, I do not need to bother about cooking Nigerian food. My expertise in that field is needed not more. For me, a snack is enough. In heaven, my husband and all the worshippers eat the fruit of the tree of life and drink from the river of life. Over there, there is no need for diet. There is no sickness, no sorrow, no tears and, can you imagine that? No old age! To me, just the thought of it, brings me joy, that my husband is there, free from the ills common to men, free from all fears and worries. I am happy for him! Truly happy! One day, when my work is done on earth, I will join the choir in heaven! As you can see, my future is better than my past!  This is the destiny for every child of God! Halleluiah!

My husband used to say that he is not a Nigerian, that he is a Citizen of Heaven. He was right! Since he got saved, he had the visa in his passport called ‘salvation’. I am a witness to this. With the eyes of my spirit I saw God’s holy seal on his forehead. He is indeed a child of God, with a harvest of fruits proving his heavenly status. In many ways, as it is with any believer, he belonged to heaven more than to the earth. When I think of it, for me, the greatest joy of all is that in heaven we worship Jesus forever. Also, there is no more devil. Over here, we always have to remember the need for spiritual warfare. Temptations come in different forms. But in heaven, there is peace, victory, and eternal rejoicing. The worship never stops! You see, for me heaven is so much near. Just in case you think that I am going crazy (in Nigeria we say that I am getting ‘kolo’), I can say that my mind is stronger than ever. I am now heavenly minded. That is the best! To have the mind of Christ! No more fears, no more doubts! Jesus is my Savior! Death has lost its sting! Tell me, you who fear the future, is it not heaven that we all desire to go to? Some of the children of God who have gone ahead of us, they ‘made it’! We need to rejoice, to thank God for sustaining them strong and faithful on their race, to their last breath on earth. Give God the glory!

My beloved husband and pastor was, is, and will always be to me a wonderful example of how a man should live and die for Jesus! I am so proud of him. As you can see, most of the time I am talking about him using the present tense. I cannot call him ‘late’. This word does not ‘fit’ him. His body is in a grave in Warri, but he is much alive in heaven and he lives in my heart. As I speak, I speak for both of us. He laid a great foundation for the ministry. Father’s House Bible Church is our ‘baby’, prophesied by the Holy Spirit. I am now building on the foundation we laid, which is Christ crucified and resurrected! I am not building another church. It is the same church. I am raising the walls on the same foundation he took so much love and care to lay down. My husband lived on earth 71 and half years. But the things that he has accomplished as a man, many others cannot accomplish in 710 years. As a medical doctor he was successful. Both of us founded Lily Clinic in Warri. We worked as doctors for twenty years. After that, we sold the practice to three younger medical colleagues. Lily Hospital, Warri, was and it still is, one of the best hospitals in this town. Then my husband entered politics. He rose to high levels in national politics, in the party called NRC. Then we both became saved. Our journey from grace to grace continued …

In 1998 we went to the US not knowing what God wants us to do over there. We started preparing to pass the medical exams so that we can stay and work there as doctors. We bought the forms, and we paid the fees for the tests. We bought the recommended medical textbooks and started reading every day, to pass the exams. ‘Our future in America looked bright’, many said. But God had other plans for us. After reading for some months, one morning, the Holy Spirit told me: ‘I did not bring both of you to America to work here as doctors. I want you to go back to Warri, sell your clinic and start a church called ‘Father’s House Bible Church’. I will give you more details later when you are in Warri’. This is what the Holy Spirit ‘whispered’ to me. The voice was not audible; it was in my spirit. But it came with great clarity and authority. I knew that it was God talking to me. I looked across the table and I saw my husband reading and concentrating over his medical book. I quickly ‘whispered’ back to God: ‘Father, I know that you are talking to me. I am sorry… I cannot tell my husband what You are telling me. He will think that I am mad. To go back to Warri? Me? What for? Please, Father God, You tell him Yourself, exactly what You are telling me. Then he will believe. Please God help me talk to my husband… Thank You Father…’ I imagined myself as Mary and my husband as Joseph. How can you tell a man that you are pregnant by the Holy Spirit? Anyway, I kept the matter secret in my heart. After few days, one morning, as both of us were at the table reading our medical books, suddenly my husband said: ‘Lia, did God speak to you?’ I kept quiet, pretending that I do not understand his question. He continued: ‘God told me that He did not call us to America to work as doctors. That He brought us here, away from our routine work so that we can hear Him better. God said that we should go back to Warri, sell our clinic, and start a church in our building. Lia, did God tell you anything like this?’ Then I had the courage to say: ‘yes’. I told him the whole story. Immediately he heard what God told me, he suddenly took the medical textbooks from the table and threw them to the ground. He trampled on them with his feet. He called the books ‘temptation’. He said to me: ‘Lia, God has spoken to both of us. We cannot pretend we did not hear. Let us forget about medical practice. Let us obey God’s Word. Let us prepare to go back to Nigeria and start the church. I don’t know how we are able to do that, but we must obey God’. Later, we called our children and told them everything. They started crying because they thought we can now settle as a family in the US. They could not imagine we are going back to Warri… What is there in Warri? (No need to remind them that ‘Warri no de carry last’. They were too upset with our decision). Later, after praying, they decided to accept God’s will for our lives. They had to learn thru pain that their parents are not ordinary parents. That was a good lesson for them, for the future!

We used all our money to buy loudspeakers and musical instruments. We had no money left to ship them. That day, a family friend just came to ‘greet us’. He said that he came to buy an equipment to send to Nigeria. That his container is almost empty. He said that we can put all our stuff there and he will carry everything free of charge. Three months later we went to Port Hacourt and collected our things to start church. In November 1999, we came back to Warri. People were surprised. We did not tell anybody about the plan to start a church. We decided no to attend any church in Warri, waiting for the open door promised of God. On the 20^th of March 2000, we started our first church service at the waiting room of our former Lily Clinic. We were about 20 people there, mostly family friends. Tali was shaking as he preached his first sermon. But the Holy Spirit was there, and He is all that matters. We reminded him to say ‘the grace’ at the end. We used a plastic basin to collect the offering (Tali said that he forgot there is an offering).

This is a reminder of the humble beginnings of Father’s House Bible Church, Warri/ Effurun, Nigeria! I will never again despise the day of little beginnings! Twenty years later, we are now an established church. As you can see, Father’s House is not ‘a break away’ from any other church or denomination. The church started by the express prophetic Word of God. As you know, both Tali and I we did not attend a regular ‘Bible school’. But the Bible became our Textbook and Constitution of life for all these years. Bishop Lewis (of the College of Bishops in the US) prophetically confirmed both of us as Bishops. But both Tali and I did not use these titles. For most of the people that knew us, for the brethren, for our children, natural and spiritual, we simply remained “Tali and Malia”.

As I remember this story, how God sent us back from the US to Nigeria to start Father’s House, I worship Him with my whole heart. God is great and greatly to be praised! Also, I am still impressed by my husband’s immediate response of obedience. This is how he was! Once he heard God’s command, he just obeyed. He did not even consider our personal inconveniences. That was his lifestyle. For him, once God speaks, there is no other answer than to obey. Whatever the cost, we must obey. He was always like that! Being his wife for 47 years, this attitude of immediate obedience has robbed on me too. Once God speaks, we say Amen! It will be later that we think about the details and the logistics. And God is faithful! He always made a way even if there was no way. Thru it all we learned to trust God’s plan for our lives even when we did not understand it. We learned to appreciate the presence of God in our lives individually and in our marriage. We learned to host the Holy Spirit during each service. God was all we had. God was all we needed. He still is!

Going back to Warri was not our plan. It was God’s plan. We choose to obey God. Thank God for the grace to obey Him. We never had any regrets. God is faithful. He took care of our children who stayed alone in the US. They are all married now, with children of their own. As for me, I can say that God is so good to me. He put a special supernatural love in my heart for the Nigerian people, especially for the brethren in Father’s House. This love is strong and true. For many years, I was a mother of three children. I am now a mother of many, a mother in Zion. As you can see from the pictures, all my children are ‘black’, like their father, Tali. I smile as I write these words. When I came to Nigeria in March 1980, a shy woman, an unbeliever, a young wife with two little children, not speaking a word of English, I did not know the mighty destiny God has prepared for me. According to God’s Word, my election and calling were from the foundation of the world. This alone explains my life. As my beloved husband went to heaven, I am now the senior pastor on Father’s House. The responsibility is great, and the mantle is heavy. Oh, but the grace of God is more than enough for any challenge I may face now or in the future. The Holy Spirit carries me on His wings. I feel Him! My heart is still in pain as I miss my dear husband. But when my flesh may fail, God is the strength of my heart, now and forever! I bow before the Almighty. My body is a living sacrifice, the temple of His Holy Spirit. Fear and doubt are my enemies. They are not allowed inside. I reject them! I am free to live and worship Jesus, now and forever! ‘My Maker is now my Husband! He is the God of all the earth!’ (Is 54:5). My spirit cries ‘Holy! Holy! Holy! The whole earth is full of His glory!’ I am weak but He is strong! Let the angels hear! Let the people bow! God loves Nigeria! This is my story, this is my song! It is well with my soul! Rejoice, all you people! Jesus is Lord!

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world.)” (Zech 4:10)

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh/ 28-08-2020

Beloved children and dear brethren, it is me again, Malia! First, I desire to give God all the glory, in all I say or do. Secondly, I desire to honor the memory of my beloved husband, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh, who is also your father in the Lord. Thirdly, I want to encourage all of you with the same encouragement I receive daily from the Holy Spirit. As you know, I gave my life to Christ in March 1986. It was a crisis conversion. I did not plan to become a Christian. In fact, as many people still remember ‘the old me’, I was not a religious person. I came to Nigeria in 1980 as an original unbeliever. I met the Lord Jesus here, in Warri, Nigeria. (God bless Nigeria!) I became saved and Spirit filled at home. It was a miracle. A self-righteous proud sinner became a lamb of God! Halleluiah to the Savior!

This is our love story… I met my husband in 1973. We were classmates in the School of Medicine, Timisoara, Romania. Anatomy was our first class. Professor Dimulescu, assigned us randomly, two by two, to ‘share’ a cadaver. We were supposed to dissect the dead body, to learn practically the theory of anatomy. We were about twenty in that class. I remember that I was not comfortable in the cold room, with about ten corpses lying down, all covered by white sheets. I wanted to be a doctor but now, all my confidence was almost gone.  Suddenly, I heard The Professor saying: ‘you and you, go to that body’. He was pointing at me and at Richmond Leigh, a student from Nigeria. I remember thinking about my new colleague: ‘Who is he? Does he speak Romanian?’ This was the first time in my life that I saw ‘a black’ man, except in the pictures or on the TV. We both went to the slab. I looked at him with a curiosity that I could not hide. He looked back at me feeling happy with himself. He spoke first. He smiled and said (in a broken Romanian): “My name is Richmond Leigh. I am from Nigeria. I am happy to work with you. What is your name?’ I told him. This is how our teamwork started. But there was more to come…

Looking back at this story, I see it as the beginning of our destiny together. Who could have known that the delicate seed of true love can be planted and grow during the cold hours of dissecting a dead man? Who could have known that romance can spring up from rotten flesh, in a room that smells chemicals, and that life can rise from the dead? At that time, I did not know but now, I know the answer: It is Jesus, with His Glory, with His power of Resurrection, who, at the Cross, totally defeated sin and death. For every good gift among men, the source is always Jesus! But at that time, I did not believe in spiritual things. All I knew was that I started falling in love with a man called Richmond Leigh, from Nigeria. To me, this love was totally new. I loved my parents and my sister. But I never loved a man… I kept my feelings secret for they scared even me. Anyway, I did not know if Richmond loves me too. I was too shy to ask… This was my background: I did not have a brother. I did not know how boys think. I never had ‘a boyfriend’. I was what people call ‘a bookworm’. My parents were teachers and they expected academic excellence from me and my sister. They were disciplinarians but loving at the same time. The only way I knew how to prove my love to them was to study hard, much above the requirements in school. Doing so, from primary one to twelve grade, I was always first in the class. Reading and passing exams, that was my life and happiness. I was not too social. I was shy in public. I was not fashionable. I could dress with anything our parents provided. I did not know how to dance. I never attended ‘a night club’. I was not adventurous. My strength and confidence were always in the classroom.  I stayed in my comfort zone most of the time. I did not like surprises. (Later, my husband told me that his African friends called me ‘The Nun’. Can you imagine that? Me, who did not believe in God, looked like a nun!!! This is still a mystery to me). Falling in love was strange and dangerous to me…

Anyway, every day we met over that cadaver to dissect it. The anatomy class was not easy. Each of us had to carry the (bleached in acid) bones of a human being in a bag. We literally ate and slept with these bones. We needed to study them until even with our eyes closed, once we touch a bone with our fingers, we were supposed to recognize it. I observed that student Richmond Leigh was so skillful with his hands. I admired his long fingers. I also admired his confident look and walk. He was ‘a man of the people’, as they say. Unlike me, he was never shy in public. Even when he could not express his feelings in Romanian language, he will boldly speak English expecting the listeners to understand. I could not speak English, so I could not understand what he was saying at those times. Also, he was very fashionable. He was a student on scholarship. He did not have a lot of money to buy clothes. But the few items he had, clothes and shoes, were all good quality and nice. He walked like a prince. He was popular in the campus. He started playing guitar at the student club. Many girls admired him. I heard them calling his name. Though I was his ‘partner’ in the anatomy class, nobody gave me ‘a chance’. Me too, I disqualified myself from even trying to dream about a possible romance. This love was completely new territory and I had no map or compass to guide me in it. Therefore, I kept all things hidden in my heart. I never knew what (this still unknown) God was doing…

Life went on … At the end of the semester, as we were preparing for our first exams, Richmond met me and asked for help. That I should coach him. He told me that his Romanian language was not good enough to pass the exams. Also, he told me that he observed I am good in class and all the professors respect my zeal and knowledge. He told me that though he was playing guitar and having a social life, I should not be deceived by these. He said that he came to Romania to study, to be a doctor. He told me that he did not forget his humble roots and Nigeria and the reason why he is here. He did not want to fail the exams. Not only that, he wants to be the best doctor he can be. He does not want just a medical certificate on the wall. He said that he hates fake people. He wants to be a good doctor when he goes back to Nigeria. He also told me that he went to ask for help from some other girls who admired him. They looked nice but he could not understand their handwriting; he could not read their anatomy notes. He said that I am the only person that he easily ‘flows with’; that he understands, both my speech and my writing. He asked for help. He was so humble and sincere. I was surprised. I agreed. I borrowed him my notes. From that time on, every day, we used to seat outside, on the stairs, to rehearse all the possible questions that can come at the exams. He impressed me with his strong desire to learn, his memory, his humility, and good manners. (In my heart I blessed his parents in Nigeria who thought his so well). At last, the exams came. He had the highest mark among all foreign students. He was so happy! In fact, I never saw him so happy. We went to a cafeteria to eat cake, drink juice, and celebrate his success. Coming back, walking on a lonely road, he surprised me. Suddenly, he said that he loves me and that he wants to marry me. Just like that! There was not much romance as I imagined it. Picture us… Nobody asked me in marriage before then. I was only nineteen. For a moment, I did not know what to say. I was not a Christian to pray about it. ‘For better and for worse’, my decision was mine alone. Shaking, holding tight my umbrella in the rain, I said ‘yes’. He became so happy again! He lifted me up and ran with me like I am a trophy. Happy in the rain… We did not know what the future will bring. Before then, I have never traveled abroad. I did not know where Nigeria is on the map. Our parents were not aware of this love story. There were so many odds against our proposed marriage. But for me, that rainy evening, on a street in Timisoara, deep in my heart, I felt that it was a destiny changing moment. I said ‘yes’ to a man who asked me in marriage, who promised to love me to the end. Forty years and half later, I have seen ‘the end’ of that story, at least what can be seen on earth. To his last breath, Richmond Leigh kept his promise! God is right: “Love never fails!” (1Cor 13:8)

As I write these words, I am not sad. I have peace and even joy. I am indeed grateful to God for bringing us together, in a marriage that only God could have designed. This is our love story. We did not buy it with money. It is not for sale. We started life like two children not knowing what life or death may bring. Later, when both of us became saved, God sealed this simple natural love with His own Holy Spirit. Our marriage became ministry, a source of inspiration and encouragement for many couples. As you know, Richmond Leigh, my beloved husband and best friend on earth, is now in heaven. But to me, he is not dead. He is more alive now than ever. That is why I want to honor his life and memory. That is why I am writing our story. Let me say this: His first love was always Jesus, His Savior and Lord. I was his ‘second’ love. Oh, how I loved that second place! I want to say it again: Richmond Sisan Leigh has kept his promise of faithfulness and love to Jesus and to me, his wife, to his last breath. During marriage ceremonies, we tell the groom and his bride to say: ‘Till death do us part’. This is a good pledge. But in my case, even death cannot separate me from the love of my life, who is now rejoicing in heaven, worshipping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! One day, when my race is finished, I will join him over there. But for now, I have work to do for God. I want to give God all the glory for my husband’s life, salvation, ministry and even his peaceful sudden transition to glory. I give glory to God for our children and grandchildren! I give God all the glory for the many spiritual children in Christ that my husband and pastor has mentored and discipled over the years. I am blessed beyond words!

Finally, I want to encourage you, dear children, to trust God for His love poured out for you! Listen to the voice of His grace and follow the steps of the Lover of your souls. Jesus died to give you life and life abundantly. May your lives and marriages be living testimonies of His Resurrection power! May the fragrance of Christ surround you and your families. Have faith in God! Have hope in His glory! I want you to dream again! Love Jesus with a new passion, none can destroy. May revival come! May the fire of holy love keep burning!

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life … neither the present nor the future … will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus, our Lord” (Rom 8:38, 39).

To God be all the glory! Love in Christ alone,

Malia!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh/ 25-08-2020, Warri/ Effurun, Nigeria

(WHEN MEN FAIL, CHRIST ALWAYS SUCCEEDS!)

During the Sunday online service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled “The Word of Life and Healing”. Her text was taken from the Books of Exodus 15:22-27 and Proverbs 4:20-22. In the Book of Exodus 15, Jehovah God, for the first time, introduces Himself as Jehovah Rapha (God the Physician or God the Doctor). This is the story: the people of God escaped from the Egyptians as God parted the Red Sea for them. Their pursuers were drawn in the same waters. They became very happy and started praising God for the mighty deliverance. Then, they started walking thru the wilderness towards Mount Sinai, to meet with God and to worship Him there. Only three days later, they became thirsty and angry. They saw a pool of water, but when they drank it, it was bitter. The pool was called Marah, which in Hebrew in means ‘bitter, angry or frustrated’. Immediately, they started complaining against Moses. In Hebrew, the word ‘complain’ means to grumble, to speak negatively (to yourself and to others), to become stubborn and refuse to co-operate with the God or His delegated authority. Be careful! Grumbling is a seed of rebellion which is ‘like the sin of witchcraft’ (1Sam 15:23). Complainers never become leaders! But Moses did the right thing. He cried (prayed) to God for a solution to this problem. Lesson: a Christian does not complain. He prays and God will answer! God’s Word is Life and Breakthru power in any situation! That is all we need!

“A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet” (PV 27:7). The worldly people complain all the time. They love this world and are satisfied only with material things. But their satisfaction is superficial for even the pleasures of life seem bitter to them. But the Christians, they hunger after God and His Word. That is why they are always grateful. Even during difficult ‘bitter’ times, they find the sweetness of God’s presence and are satisfied with it.

When Moses prayed, God showed him a tree planted by the bitter waters. The word ‘show’ means a teacher who points at something, for the student to see the solution to the problem. This is what God does. After you pray, wait for God’s ‘pointing finger’ and you shall find the ‘way of escape’ from the problem.  The tree God was pointing at looked like an ordinary tree. The word ‘tree’ also means ‘the Carpenter’. God the Father pointed Moses to see Christ Crucified. The Cross is always the solution to all problems of sin or sickness. The solution is not far. It was planted by the bitter waters. God’s solution is provided besides your problem. God told Moses to cut that tree. Spiritually speaking that was the death of Christ on the Cross. Then Moses should ‘cast down’ the tree in the bitter waters, and they shall become ‘sweet’ or healthy. The command to ‘cast down’ is very important. It is not enough to find the scriptures that may help you. You must be able to apply them to your situation, to cast them into your bitter waters. This is God’s wisdom! Only when the Word touches your situation, the miracle of healing or deliverance happens! There are other examples when people had to ‘cast down’ something before the miracle happened (Ex 4:3; Jn 21:6; 1 Pet 5:7). No casting down, no miracle! God cares for you! As the waters became sweet and people rejoiced, God made a statute and tested them. The word ‘statute’ is the same as the word Doctor’s ‘prescription’. God tests your attitude to Him especially during trying times. God also tests your faith before you are ‘qualified’ to receive a miracle. God tests out diligent seeking of His presence, the motives of our worship and of faith in His Word. May we pay the price for spiritual maturity! Then miracles shall be our portion! In Jesus’ name!

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh read another great healing promise in God’s Word: “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are LIFE to those who find them, and HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH” (PV 4:20-22; NKJ). She said that divine healing is always connected with God’s Word and faith. For the miracle of life and healing to happen, three organs must be involved, kept pure and focused on God’s Word: the ears, the eyes, and the heart. Do not read the Bible the way you read your school textbook or the newspaper. When you read the Bible, you must ‘give attention’ to God’s Word. You ‘incline’ your ear to God’s Word. To incline it means that you bend your ear. To bend your ear, you must bend your head and body, like a servant waiting for the master. A humble faithful servant or student like attitude is necessary to receive healing. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus! Look on His lovely face! Also, keep God’s Word in the center of your heart. The seed must be sown deep to make roots and produce fruits. Then it produces spiritual life in your soul and healing to your body. “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7). Please observe that only Doctor Jesus can heal ‘all your flesh’ with just one Word, with just one touch. The medical doctors do not have a drug that can treat all your diseases at the same time. But God’s Word received by faith is ‘health to ALL YOUR FLESH’. Is that not a wonderful promise? “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Ps 107:20). Your ears must be opened to God’s Word. Faith comes and comes!! The more you listen to God’s Word and anointed sermons, the more your faith ‘comes’ to you. “So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Christ)” (Rom 10:17; NKJ). Faith shall be tested and then produces the supernatural. Your miracle is closer than you think! “By His (Christ’) stripes we are healed” (Is 53:5)

This is another example: Jesus heals the Centurion’s servant by the power of His Word. He was amazed at the Centurion’s faith. “The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed” (Mt 8:8; NKJ).  Jesus heals and delivers people ‘with a Word’. “When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill” (Mt 8:16). If you are a child of God, you need to exercise yourself spiritually. You must study God’s Word, pray and your faith will increase. You can now see the connection between hearing and obeying God’s Word, keeping it in your heart, and the healing of our bodies. God tests our commitment to His Word. Then faith comes! Wait for the faith! If we pass the test, healing shall come. Faith will become testimony! Prayer will become praise! Amen!

Lastly, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh said: ‘I am a medical doctor and a pastor. I know that God gives the doctors the skill to treat many diseases. If you are not sure of your faith in the God of miracles, then go to the hospital and take medical treatment. Do not be ashamed of it! Take your medicines as prescribed by the doctor! That is the reasonable thing to do, at least for some time. But it also is your duty to draw closer to God, to diligently study His Word, trusting Him for a supernatural touch. Listen to anointed Spirit filled sermons. Remember: we do not buy miracles. God does not owe any man anything. Everything we receive from God including salvation, it is a gift from above; it is by His grace and thru our faith. Humble yourself. Fast and pray. Cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving to God. Do your part and God will do His part! WHEN MEN FAIL, CHRIST ALWAYS SUCCEEDS! Be healed in Jesus’ name! Amen!’ Worship the Lord!

Our beloved children and dear brethren, it is Malia again. I am here to encourage you again. Even in pain, I am still older and stronger than you all. From my heart to yours, I send peace to you! I carry you in my heart as a necessary and welcomed burden. I pray for you daily. Daily, I bring you all before the throne of mercy and grace. As I received grace in my time of need, so you shall receive the same when your need comes. Truly, we do not appreciate the grace of God until we desperately need God alone! These days I love to worship God for His grace and His mercy to me. Words fail me to express my love to Jesus! He is so good to me! Worthy is the Lamb upon the throne!

Since my beloved husband and your father in the Lord, Pastor Richmond Sisan Leigh went to heaven, clearly, my life is not the same. Like I said before, my life now is simpler, but deeper. In my life I passed thru many difficulties and God has helped me always. But this time has been a season like no other. The pain of suddenly losing my husband and best friend was initially unbearable. The truth is that, without God, I could have crashed emotionally. You could have heard of me being admitted in a psychiatric hospital (God forbid) This is the truth; I was not sure I could live alone; I mean without the physical support, protection, and love of my dear husband. We were together for 47 and half years!!! That is a lifetime! We became one in body, spirit, vision, and purpose. Somehow, all these years, I did not pray or prepare myself for a time I will be alone on earth. Like I said in the other letter, Tali and I believed that I should go to heaven first and he will bury me, just the way Abraham did with Sarah. We both had peace with this our plan. So, when God suddenly took Tali to heaven, I was shocked. My heart and my brain stopped working. For three days I could not think or even pray. My future disappeared from my spiritual ‘radar’. My tomorrow looked so far, impossible to reach. My heart wanted to go with Tali to heaven. I was even jealous of him; that ‘he made it’ and I am still here. I knew that suicide was out of the question. I cannot kill myself. (God forbid). But I did not understand why God kept me alive on earth when He took Tali to heaven. I saw no purpose in this physical separation. My whole world crashed. In a way, my heart, as I knew it before, died with Tali…

But then, to my greatest surprise, the Holy Spirit took over my life in a new way. He filled me with His peace and with His power. He did not allow me to fall into depression. He gave me the courage to live and to hope. He helped me to read the Bible and to pray. I saw a little light into the future. He helped me to step into Tali’s big ‘shoes’ and to lead the ministry. I saw that my life was preserved, not for my will, but for His will to be done. God helped me to see that I need to accept this ‘mantle’ that fell on me, to take this leadership responsibility. That this is His plan for me. This new role is not for my pleasure, not to please men, but only for God’s glory. Like Hannah saw the need of a prophet for Israel, and offered her womb to carry that boy, so God helped me to see ‘His need’. God helped me to say ‘yes’ to His proposal, to become the senior pastor of Father’s House Bible Church, Warri/ Effurun, Nigeria. This position was totally not my plan, ambition, or personal desire. Tali has been the senior pastor for twenty years. I was completely satisfied to be his wife, his assistant and co-pilot, in everything he needed me to be, both in spiritual and natural matters. As a person, I was never over ambitious. Once I found my place in a relationship, I became satisfied. Tali was my husband, the only man in my life! Tali was my pastor too! I loved him and I submitted to him! It was my God’s given privilege to honor him thru godly submission! Even in my dreams, I never wanted to become a man, or to lead the church. I am just trying to explain to you how this transition happened, how only God could have changed my unprepared mind. To God be all the glory!

There are two factors that helped me step into the position of the senior pastor. The first one, and the most important, was that I saw God’s offer and ‘need’ for the ministry. I just cannot refuse this God. He is my God! His name is Jesus Christ! He is my Savior, my Lord, and My Master! These are not just religious words! I mean when I say that! Like Apostle Paul, me, too, I am ‘a bondservant of Jesus Christ’. I was a sinner. Jesus died to save my soul. I owe Him my life, my all! I gave my life to Christ unconditionally. I cannot dictate to Him the type of life I want to live on earth. I am His soldier. I cannot tell Him what battles I should fight on earth. He is the Captain of my salvation. He leads, I follow! He was, He is, and He will always be in charge of every detail of my life, now and forever! I trust Him! I love Him! I cannot complain when difficult things come my way. Even when I do not understand His ways with me, I still believe that ‘His ways are perfect’ (Ps 18:30)! God never makes any mistakes. Why? Because He is the Almighty God, the Faithful God, the only Living God! The devil can attack and spoil things. But he cannot kill the soul of the Christian. Be sure of this: this world does not belong to the devil. This world, even with all the sin and sorrow in it, was created by God and belongs to God. I have accepted the fact that God is Sovereign over my life, over my world. He is my King and I am His unworthy servant! That is why I never complain! In all things, I learned to give Him thanks! For He alone is worthy of my praise! The second factor that helped me to step into this new role is this: I believe that Tali will like me to be strong and do it. In his absence, I should stand! We founded this church together on the 20^th of March 2020.  As you know, we started this church at the command of God. We started this church from ‘scratch’ as they say. Father’s House Bible Church is not a branch or a breakaway from any other church. It is an apostolic-prophetic original and organic plantation of the Lord in this land! It is a burning bush that attracts men to come and have an encounter with Jehovah God! It is an oasis in the desert! To Him be all the glory!

Since Tali went to heaven, my vision of life and death has become clearer. Both as a medical doctor and as a pastor, I have seen babies been born and people of all ages die. Life and death are common, and they are also connected. I re-discovered the power of the presence of God in all things. His grace is truly enough to sustain life! In God’s presence there is strength, victory, and fullness of joy. That is why I lost the fear of death. Tali was right!  To a believer, heaven looks so real and wonderful. I now have peace about God calling Tali to heaven. Jesus said that the Father knows when a little sparrow falls to the ground and dies. How much more God knew when His humble and faithful servant Richmond Sisan Leigh, ‘fell to the ground and died’! God knows! Fear not! In life and in death, God cares for His children! God’s Word says: ‘precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints’ (Ps 116:15). When a child of God ‘dies’, God takes it personally. It is as a ‘precious’ thing, this holy transition to glory. The word ‘precious’ means something rare, expensive, and glorious, like a precious stone. As the diamond shines in the King’s crown, so the death of God’s child has its own fragrance of Christ, its testimony of resurrection, triumphant unto everlasting life! No wonder many sinners give their lives to Christ at the service of songs of the believers! In the natural, we mourn the passing of a child of God. This grief and pain of loss is human. Do not be ashamed of it. God understands. But there is a great difference between the believers in Christ and the unbelievers, even in the way they mourn their dead. We do not mourn like the unbelievers who have no hope of heaven. We mourn in the presence of God. We mourn with peace and faith. The hope of glory, the assurance of salvation and the reality of heaven, overpowers our present pain. This is the testimony of all Christians!

Since Tali went to heaven, this is my testimony too. The fact that Tali was clearly saved with many ministry fruits to prove his salvation, gives me now great peace. I cannot imagine how a Christian wife will feel if her unbelieving husband dies. I cannot imagine that type of pain. Oh, God, have mercy… So, because God calls it ‘precious’, the death of a Christian has its own glory story, testimony, and anointing. That is why ‘the memory of the righteous is a blessing’ (PV 10:7).  Like with Lazarus, when the soul of a believer leaves his body on earth, God sends His angels to carry and lead His child straight into His presence (Lk 16:22). For a Christian, it does not matter how or when you die. But one thing is sure: in life and in death, no believer is ever alone. He lives in the presence of God and he is attended by invisible, but ever-present powerful angels, who constantly minster to him. For a believer, death is a promotion, a ‘gain’. Apostle Paul said: ‘For me to live is Christ and to die is gain’ (Phil 1:21). This should be the song for every one of us who believe in The Lord Jesus Christ! Halleluiah!

As you read my letter, you see that even in my present pain, I have found peace and hope. If reading these words concerning life and death, you only sense fear of the future, it may be that you are not saved. You need to give your life to Christ!!! For the believer knows that Jesus died and rose again to make a new living way for him to pass thru death and go to heaven. This is the Gospel: Jesus died and was buried. But on the third day He rose from the grave! The power of Resurrection in Christ is stronger than death! Jesus is Lord forever! In Christ, the power and the fear of death is totally defeated. This is God’s Word! Many religious books talk about these things. But the Bible is the only Book that is completely honest about God, about life, death, and our eternal destiny. No man can be saved, and no man can go to heaven except thru Jesus Christ. That is the Gospel we preach! The prosperity and blessings God gives us on earth are good. We are grateful! But you must think of eternity! God has deposited eternity in your heart (Ecc 3:11). You must see life and death in the Spirit’ realm, thru the eyes of faith, thru God’s perspective! Ask yourself this question: After you die, where will you go? There are only two options: heaven of hell. Think of your soul! The most important part of you is your soul. You must make peace with God. At the Cross, thru faith in the shed Blood of Jesus, your soul will be saved. The Holy Spirit will witness and confirm your salvation! This is the greatest ‘gain’ you can ever have during your life of earth. Settle your soul first, then other things will be added to you. Like Tali always said: “First things first!”

God’s work remains our priority! Nobody serves God and regrets! We invest our time, effort, and finances for the expansion of the Kingdom of God, here in Warri, Effrurn, Nigeria and from here, all over the world.! This investment is acknowledged and rewarded by God. You can never lose serving God. This is His promise. As for me, I feel the wind of revival blowing over this land. God is in it! Nigeria is blessed! “Wake up, North Wind! South Wind blow on my garden; fill the air with fragrance. Let my Lover (Jesus Christ) come to His garden and eat the best of its fruits” (SS 4:16).

Finally, let me add this: during these challenging days, our children (natural and spiritual) have been a great encouragement to me. God bless them! They have matured ‘overnight’. They are more spiritual. They care for me like never in the past. God bless them with the blessings of Christ! God bless you all!  Dear children be encouraged! Shine your light for Jesus! Have peace! Be strong! Worship and serve God! God is with you! God loves you! I love you too,

Malia

Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh/ 21-08-2020